[Stereotaxic biopsy of non-palpable breast neoplasms with the ABBI system (USSC)]

The study was concerned with application of the stereotactic automated surgical biopsy breast with the ABBI (USSC) device for verification of non-palpable breast lumps. It included 13 females, aged 34-72 (mean age--54) and lasted 6 months (1999). Microcalcinates were detected in 3 (22.8%), local cordlike tissue structures--3 (22.8%), focal shadows--7 (53.2%). Lesion size: (5 mm (16%), 5.1-10 mm (25%) and 10.1-20 mm (59%). Malignancy was diagnosed in 3 cases (22.8%), dia. 7-10 mm; atypical ductal hyperplasia--2 (8.3%), and miscellaneous benign pathology--53.2%. Adequate removal of lesions was histologically confirmed in all cases. The procedure was carried out with ambulatory monitoring, under local anesthesia, and lasted 1.5 hrs. No complications were reported. The cosmetic results were good; no analgetics were dispensed. The ABBI system proved an effective means of stereotactic surgical biopsy of the breast because it removed the entire radiologically-suspicious site as a complete tissue preparation. It provided all histological data without crushing or segmenting the preparation. Since tissue texture and, particularly, the preparation edges remained intact, the latter could be examined too, if needed. All this ruled out inaccurate interpretation, repeat biopsy and unjustified lumpectomies.