Large-core biopsy guns: Comparison for yield of breast tissue

PURPOSE: To compare seven large-core, long-throw, 14-gauge biopsy guns for yield and quality of breast tissue obtained. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A two-phase, randomized and blinded study was performed. In the first phase, four fully automated 14-gauge biopsy guns (BIP, Manan, Biopty, and ASAP) and one semiautomated device (Temno) were used to obtain breast cores from a cadaver. Samples were assessed for volume, number of fragments, and crush artifact. In the second phase, seven biopsy guns (previously mentioned guns plus Monopty and Ultra-Cut guns) were used to obtain cores from a breast parenchyma model. These cores were then evaluated for weight, volume, and number of fragments. RESULTS: The mean specimen volume of cadaveric breast tissue obtained was 17.9 mm(3) for the BIP gun, 17.8 for the Manan gun, 14.9 for the Biopty gun, 14.1 for the ASAP gun, and 9.9 for the Temno gun. The Temno gun obtained statistically significantly smaller volumes than all other guns. For the breast parenchyma model, mean obtained volumes were 24.5, 24.1, 16.2, 21.7, 17.5, 20.0, and 15.2 mm(3), respectively. The BIP and Manan guns yielded statistically significantly larger cores than all other guns except the ASAP. CONCLUSION: Yields of breast tissue provided by each biopsy device differed statistically significantly. Pip and Manan biopsy guns yielded the greatest volume of core tissue, which may facilitate histopathologic diagnosis from breast biopsies performed with imaging guidance.