Mammotome® versus ATEC®: a comparison of two breast vacuum biopsy techniques under sonographic guidance

Purpose The study evaluates the differences between the Mammotome ® (MT) and ATEC ® (A) vacuum biopsy (VB) of the breast in terms of diagnostic reliability, biopsy duration and complications. Methods In a prospective randomized study, 62 ultrasound-guided VBs of the breast were performed. MT and A were compared using Mann–Whitney U test. Results The mean lesion size and the BI-RADS ® distribution were equal in both groups. Representative tissue was extracted in all 62 biopsies; thus no repeat biopsies were necessary. A sonographically guided complete excision was possible in 46 cases. More imaging-guided complete excisions were achieved with the MT than with A (87 vs. 63%). Technical complications occurred twice with A and once with MT. No medical complications occurred in either group. Conclusions Both systems are suitable for the diagnostic clarification of unclear breast lesions as well as complete excision of benign lesions under sonographic imaging. Sonographically guided complete resection was achieved more often with the MT.