Stereotactic percutaneous breast biopsy with the mammotome® vacuum-assisted biopsy device

Objective: To evaluate stereotactic, percutaneous, directional vacuum-assisted breast biopsy of ACR 2, 3 and 4 lesions. Methods: 92 mammographic or clinical breast lesions (ACR 2, 3 and 4) in 69 patients were evaluated with the Mammotest(R) Plus stereotactic system and the Mammotome(R) vacuum-assisted biopsy device with an Ii-gauge needle. Biopsies were performed with local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. Results: The mammographic lesions were completely removed in 28 of the 69 patients (40%). 65% of microcalcifications and all lesions <10 mm were completely removed. Rebiopsy was recommended for 12 patients (17%) with incompletely removed lesions. 12 patients (17%) subsequently underwent open excisional biopsy. Six invasive carcinomas and 6 in situ lesions were detected. Only 4 of the 72 premalignant or malignant lesions were completely removed with the Mammotome(R). The benign-to-malignant ratio was 82% to 18%. Open biopsy was avoided in 43 patients (62%). The Fate of complications (bleeding, pain) was less than 5%. Conclusions: Percutaneous stereotactic vacuum-assisted biopsy is an accurate diagnostic tool with low morbidity for the evaluation of microcalcifications and breast lesions < 2 cm in diameter.