Diagnostic accuracy of a stereotaxically guided vacuum-assisted large-core breast biopsy program in Canada.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the accuracy rate associated with 11-gauge vacuum assisted large-core breast biopsy (VALCBB) at our institution.


METHODS
673 consecutive VALCBBs performed between September 1997 and March 2000 were evaluated. For most of the benign VALCBB specimens, accuracy was determined by the stability of the lesions on follow-up mammography. When possible, histological results of specimens obtained from VALCBB and of specimens obtained from surgical excision were compared. Modified accuracy rates were calculated.


RESULTS
Of the 673 biopsies, 499 (74%) were benign; for the 315 benign lesions for which complete follow-up information was available, a greater than 99% modified accuracy rate was obtained. The modified accuracy rate for the 174 nonbenign lesions was 95%. Thus, VALCBB yielded an overall modified accuracy for both benign and nonbenign lesions of 97.9%.


CONCLUSIONS
VALCBB provides accurate histological results for biopsy of suspicious lesions of the breast.
Lai
J T
JT
Foothills Medical Centre, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, 1403 29 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 2T9. johnlai88@hotmail.com
Burrowes
P
P
MacGregor
J H
JH
D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques