Experience with the advanced breast biopsy instrumentation system.
OBJECTIVE
To report early experience with the advanced breast biopsy instrumentation (ABBI) system and to compare the results with those of other published studies.


METHODS
A nonrandomized case series.


METHODS
An outpatient breast diagnostic centre at a large urban community hospital.


METHODS
Thirty-four women; 27 had suspicious calcifications, 2 had a nonpalpable mass and 5 had both.


METHODS
The ABBI procedure to excise a breast lesion or obtain a representative sample for histologic examination.


METHODS
Success of the procedure with respect to diagnosis, sample quality, technical problems, margins of tumour free tissue and patient satisfaction.


RESULTS
Malignant tissue was diagnosed in 7 women (21%) and atypical ductal hyperplasia in 2 (6%). In all cancers, the obtained samples had malignant cells present at the margins or less than 1 mm away. Technical problems were encountered in 32% of cases. Manual extraction of the specimen was required in 21% of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The preliminary data correlate well with those of other published results. Although it is possible that a small number of cases and a relatively high proportion of technical difficulties may represent a normal learning curve, there is a definite need for improvement of some ABBI components. ABBI does not appear to provide adequate margins of uninvolved tissue in patients with cancer and thus should not be used with curative intent. ABBI provides excellent quality samples for pathological study and good patient satisfaction. There are not yet enough data for meaningful comparison of ABBI with stereotactic core biopsy and excisional biopsy with needle localization.
Perelman
V S
VS
Family Practice Teaching Unit, North York General Hospital, Toronto, Ont. Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto.
Colapinto
N D
ND
Lee
S
S
Down
N K
NK
Cook
D M
DM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000523:psychology; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000523:psychology; D017211:Treatment Failure