title: Scar formation after stereotactic vacuum-assisted core biopsy of benign breast lesions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate scar formation of impalpable breast lesions with benign histological outcome using stereotactic 11-gauge vacuum-assisted core biopsy (VACB).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and ten lesions with benign histology for which follow-up mammograms were available, were assessed for scar formation at the biopsy site. All biopsies were performed using stereotactic VACB with 11-gauge needle. The incidence of post-biopsy scar formation and the number of specimens removed were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 4.3% (9/210) of the lesions for which a biopsy was performed with 11-gauge directional vacuum-assisted technique, the follow-up mammogram revealed a scar formation. Of these, six were minimal scars, two were moderate scars and one was a marked scar. Minimal and moderate scars were diagnosed on imaging only. However, the case with marked scar formation required tissue diagnosis to rule out malignancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although uncommon, scar formation can be seen in the follow-up mammograms after percutaneous breast biopsies. It is important that the radiologist interpreting follow-up mammograms is aware of the features of this lesion and its relationship to the biopsy procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Maidstone Hospital Breast Unit, Kent, UK.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yazici
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Sever
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fish
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014618:Vacuum