Use of advanced breast biopsy instrumentation while performing stereotactic breast biopsies: review of 150...

Stereotactic breast biopsies are being performed in the United States with increasing frequency. Advanced breast biopsy instrumentation (ABBI) is a recent addition to the list of available stereotactic breast biopsy devices (eg, fine-needle aspiration, automated needle cores, and vacuum-assisted devices). Indications for the ABBI procedure in the management of patients with nonpalpable mammographic lesions have not been established.

Prospectively collected data on 150 patients biopsied with the ABBI procedure were reviewed.

From April 1996 to May 1997, 150 patients with indeterminate or suspicious nonpalpable mammographic lesions were biopsied using the ABBI technique. Complications were minor. One patient (0.6%) required a repeat biopsy because of insufficient tissue and one patient had repeat excision to confirm the diagnosis of atypical ductal hyperplasia. Cancer was diagnosed in 26%. Followup mammograms were obtained in 94% of the patients. Lesions were missed in three patients (2%), none of whom were later found to have cancer. One patient (0.6%) required a repeat ABBI biopsy for postbiopsy architectural distortion. Postprocedure mammographic scarring was otherwise minimal and was noted in only 16% of the patients. Of the 111 patients with benign diagnoses, 67 were seen for clinical followup; 98% had good cosmetic outcomes and were satisfied with the ABBI technique.

The ABBI technique is a safe, reliable stereotactic breast biopsy technique that is well accepted by patients. The sensitivity and specificity of ABBI biopsy for the diagnosis of carcinoma in this series were each 100% for the 142 patients returning for followup. Indications for the technique are similar to those for traditional needle localization excisional breast biopsies.