title: An analysis of fine needle aspiration versus core needle biopsy in clinically palpable breast lesions: a report on the predictive values and a cost comparison.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is an established tool in the biopsy of breast masses, there has been a trend toward using core-needle biopsy (CNB). The aim of this study was to determine whether FNA has comparable predictive value with CNB and whether FNA is more cost effective.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was conducted on 162 patients who underwent either FNA or CNB of palpable breast lesions and had histologic confirmation with surgical biopsy in calendar year 2005.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no false-positives or false-negatives in either group. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value for FNA were 89%, 98%, and 94%, respectively. CNB had sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of 100%, 90%, and 93%, respectively. The cost to perform FNA was $166.34, compared with $477.92 for CNB.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FNA and CNB had comparable predictive value, with FNA being more cost effective.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, USA. sapna.nagar@beaumont.edu
authors.forename: Sapna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nagar
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iacco
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Riggs
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kestenberg
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Keidan
mesh_terms: D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional