ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of ultrasound guided vacuum-assisted Mammotome biopsy (UVAMB) for breast lesions. METHODS: Percutaneous biopsies of 564 breast lesions, in 489 patients, using UVAMB were performed between October 2000 and May 2002. The pathological findings of the UVAMB were compared with excisional biopsies, sonographic follow-ups and clinical follow-up findings. We evaluated the complication on immediate post-biopsy and 1 week later using ultrasound. RESULTS: Of the 564 lesions, 108 (19.1%) were diagnosed as malignant by UVAMB, and of 456 benign lesions, 63 were excised. On excision two of the benign lesions were found to be carcinomas. The false negative rate of the UVAMB was 2.7%, and 99 (17.5%) of the 564 biopsies were revealed as hematomas by ultrasound 1 week later. However, almost all of complications were well controlled by conservative management. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound guided vacuum-assisted Mammotome biopsies reduced the possibility of false-negatives and underestimated the disease. The complications of UVAMB were not serious, was proved to be a good biopsy method for small, non-palpable breast lesions.