Stereotactic needle biopsy of nonpalpable breast masses

One hundred two patients with nonpalpable breast masses that presented as mammographic densities with or without calcification were studied consecutively. Using the Stereotix stereotactic device, fine-needle aspirations were obtained with subsequent hook-wire placement followed by surgical excision. Pathology results were reached separately and then compared to the cytologic diagnoses. For patients with adequate cytologic material, sensitivity was 95% and specificity was 100%. There were six suspicious or equivocal diagnoses: three were determined to be benign, while three were malignant. There was inadequate tissue in 13%. Although this technique had limitations, for patients with adequate cytologic and histologic material the accuracy was excellent.