Stereotactic vacuum assisted core needle breast biopsy: An initial experience at The Medical City

Stereotactic vacuum assisted breast biopsy has been developed as a minimally invasive alternative procedure to mammogram-guided wire localization then excision breast biopsy for non-palpable breast abnormalities.OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study was to describe the Medical City experience on stereotactic vacuum assisted breast biopsy from September 2007 to December 2009.METHODS: Review of patients' records, mammogram results and histopathology reports of all patients who had stereotactic breast biopsy done at the Medical City from September 2007 up to December 2009. Percentages of patients with BI-RADS category 4 on mammogram and of patients with positive histopathology results were calculated. Conclusions were obtained from the tally and the percentage computations. Present rates of stereotactic complications were noted as well.RESULTS: There were 25 patients who had stereotactic vacuum assisted breast biopsy from September 2007 to December 2009. Of the 25 patients, 15 (60%) had mammogram results with BIRADS category 4. Of the 15 patients with BI-RADS category 4, 5(33.33%) had a histopathology diagnosis positive for malignancy.CONCLUSION: Stereotactic vacuum assisted breast biopsy is more cost-effective as against mammogram-guided wire localization then excision breast biopsy with the present rates at our institution. Post stereotactic complications experiences by a few patients were very minor.

Ultrasound-guided mammotome excision biopsy for benign breast lesions

OBJECTIVE: A 15-month review of all mammotome excision breast biopsies in the Medical City to evaluate our experience in excising benign breast lesions using this technique by taking into consideration the complications encountered and patient satisfaction regarding the procedure and the postoperative result.METHODS: The study included all patients seen by two breast surgeons of the Medical City Breast Clinic from May 2007 to July 2008 with both palpable breast masses visible on ultrasound with a Breast Imaging Reporting a Data System (BIRADS) classification of 2-4. Women with lesions at high risk for malignancy were excluded from the study. Patient demographics were noted, lesions were classified according to BIRADS classification and data regarding the procedure, compilations incurred and patient satisfaction ratings were obtained.RESULTS: One hundred nineteen patients with ages ranging from 17 to 72 years old underwent ultrasound guided mammotome excision at the TMC-Breast Clinic removing a total of 167 lesions. Majority (82%) of patients were premenopausal whereas 22 (18%) were postmenopausal. Ecchymosis (73%) was the most frequent complication during the procedure due to hematoma formation, pain and a skin nick that require suturing. Of the 25 patients who had a previous open biopsy, 23 (92%) preferred mammotome excision over open breast biopsy.CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided mammotome excision is a safe and well-tolerated alternative to open excision biopsy for benign lesions of the breast.