title: Ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted core breast biopsy: experience with 406 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the indications, accuracy and complications of vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) performed using ultrasonographic (US) guidance for non-palpable lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective study in which results from consecutive US-guided VABB performed between January 1999 and April 2003 were subsequently compared to those from excisional biopsy or to long-term follow-up imaging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four hundred and six lesions were submitted to VABB procedures. Out of those, 78.9% were benign, 18.8% were malignant, 1.7% was lobular neoplasia, and 0.4% was atypical duct hyperplasia. Underestimation occurred in 2.6% of the cases and false negative results in 0.6%. Sensitivity to VABB was 97%, specificity went up to 100%, negative predictive value was 99%, positive predictive value was 100%, and accuracy was 99%. Complications occurred in 9% of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  US-guided VABB is an accurate and safe procedure. The main indication is the non-palpable suspicious breast lesions (category 4). This new technique could be a good alternative for percutaneous and surgery biopsy.
authors.affiliation: Breast Imaging Unit, Department of Radiology, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cassano
authors.forename: Linei A B D
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Urban
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pizzamiglio
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abbate
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maisonneuve
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Renne
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Viale
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bellomi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary; D014618:Vacuum