Percutaneous vacuum-assisted core breast biopsy with upright stereotactic equipment. Indications, limitations and results.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the usefulness of stereotactic vacuum-assisted core breast biopsy (VCBB) performed using a stereotactic add-on device and film-screen technology with the patient in an upright seated position.


METHODS
We reviewed a series of 129 women with non-palpable mammographic abnormalities who required stereotactic VCBB from December 1999 to November 2000. Twenty-seven (20.9%) cases were excluded due to difficulties in keeping the correct position during the procedure, while the other 102 (79.1%) underwent successful VCBB. Patients with lesions consisting of either atypical ductal hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ were considered for excisional biopsy. Patients with either ductal carcinoma in situ or infiltrating breast cancer were referred for definitive surgery. The results of stereotactic VCBB were correlated to the subsequent surgical histology.


RESULTS
Stereotactic VCBB was interrupted because of bleeding in 1 case and vasovagal reaction in 5 cases. Two haematomas occurred after the procedure. Overall underestimation rate was 10.5%. No new lesions were discovered after a mean follow-up of 18.7 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Stereotactic VCBB performed using a standard add-on device with the patient in an upright seated position and analog technology is feasible in about 80% of cases, has a low complication rate, is not significantly time-consuming, and can offer the same accuracy as dedicated prone equipment.
Meloni
G B
GB
Department of Radiology, Institute of Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Becchere
M P
MP
Soro
D
D
Feo
C F
CF
Profili
S
S
Dettori
G
G
Trignano
M
M
Navarra
G
G
Canalis
G C
GC
D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D011187:Posture; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects; D014618:Vacuum