Results of stereotactic breast biopsy in mammographically suspicious lesions

The object of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the stereotactic large core breast biopsy in the histological assessment of mammographically suspicious lesions. In 106 patients with a mammographically suspicious lesion, 67 with a mass (55 non-palpable, 12 palpable and 39 with microcalcification stereotactic large core biopsies were performed. Samples were obtained in the prone position under local anesthesia with a 14-gauge needle and an automated high-speed gun. An average of 4.3 cores per lesion were acquired. In 68 patients (64%) an additional surgical biopsy was performed, 38 (36%) had clinical and mammographic follow-up. In 4 of the 106 stereotactic biopsies insufficient material for the histological examination was obtained. In the 68 core biopsies with surgical correlation there were no false-positive, but 2 false-negative results with regard to the malignancy of the lesion (sensitivity: 93.8%; specificity: 100%). The 2 false-negative results were obtained in lesions that were mammographically judged as malignant while histology of the stereotactic biopsy showed fibrosis. The stereotactic large core breast biopsy was well tolerated by all patients. No clinically significant complications occurred. The stereotactic large core breast biopsy of a mammographically suspicious lesion can be performed with a high diagnostic accuracy. A correlation of the mammographic and histological findings and a follow-up program are necessary in order to recognize false-negative results early and to avoid a delay in the diagnosis.