[Contribution of ultrasonography-guided microbiopsy in breast diseases]

To assess the usefulness of core biopsy under ultrasonography (CBUS).

165 US guided breast lesions biopsies were reviewed. Forty-eight underwent surgery and the 117 remaining cases were followed up for at least one year. Forty-four lesions were malignant and 89 were no palpable. Lesion size ranged from 3 to 35 mm (mean 14.8 mm). Core biopsy was performed with an automatic device with a 18 Gauge needle using a long-throw (2.2 cm excursion). Needle length was 10 cm. At least two passes were performed.

Five false negatives were obtained which were all explained. All the infiltrative carcinomas without microcalcifications as mammographic sign were correctly diagnosed. A resolutive hematoma was the only complication to occur. None of the lesions with follow up showed any evolution. With CBUS, sensitivity for malignancy was 91% and specificity 100%. This is in agreement with previous studies.

Methodology and indications of such core biopsies are peculiar. Actually, the lesion must be seen with ultrasonography and should not be superficial, be correlated with microcalcifications, or be a cyst even with a thick content. This method is safe and comfortable. It is not expensive when compared with surgery or stereotaxy. It should avoid useless surgical open biopsies as it allows histologic diagnosis with Scarff and Bloom grading and hormonal receptor status. So, US guided core-biopsy should contribute to increase the predictive positive value of surgical biopsy in senologic screening.