[US-guided core biopsy of the breast with an automated biopsy gun: comparison with an aspiration core needle device]

To evaluate the efficacy of an automated Tru-cut type of biopsy gun in US-guided breast biopsy, we performed 162 breast biopsies in 148 patients using an 18 gauge short-throw (1.1cm excursion) Tru-cut-type biopsy gun (Ace-cut needle). The results of the series were compared with another series of aspiration core biopsies, which were performed on 113 breast lesions in 112 patients using an 18 gauge Sure-cut needle. The results of the two series were correlated with the diagnoses made at surgery or clinical follow-up. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the automated biopsy gun were 89.2%, 94.9%, and 92.7%, and for the Sure-cut needle, 75.0%, 78.6%, and 77.5%, respectively (p < 0.01 for specificity and accuracy, by chi 2 test). There were no serious complications. The diagnostic surgical biopsy to operated cancer ratios in 1991 (without core biopsy), 1993 (with aspiration core biopsy), and 1995 (with automated core biopsy) were 2.9 (46/10), 2.0 (30/17), and 0.5 (12/24), respectively. We concluded that US-guided breast biopsy with an automated biopsy gun is a safe and highly accurate method, and could replace the diagnostic surgical biopsy.