Study on ultrasonically guided fine-needle aspiration cytology for breast disorders with high-resolution transducer

The author participated in the development annular array transducer. The author used this new device in 147 patients (aged 43.4 years ranging from 21 to 81 years) and ultrasonically detected 193 breast lesions including 126 nonpalpable ones (65.3%). After that, the author performed 234 punctures for aspiration cytology using the same device and 22 gauge needle. The needle tip was intralesionally identified in 174 of the 234 punctures (74.4%) and 146 of the 193 lesions (75.6%). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of cytological diagnosis were 72.7% (8/11), 91.2% (31/34) and 86.7% (39/45), respectively. No cell could be aspirated in 61 of the 146 lesions (41.8%). These results were comparable to those obtained from the conventional devices. Annular array transducer will increase the frequency of ultrasonic detection of small breast lesions. Fine needle aspiration cytology under ultrasonic guide with this new device will efficiently and speedily rule out malignant lesions and facilitate management of benign lesions at the outpatient department. This study suggests that ultrasonically malignant lesions should immediately be examined histologically without undergoing cytological examination. It should be noted that some cystic lesions are concentrated and accompanied by positive internal echoes. These cystic lesions show a change in size on the ultrasonic image after aspiration and contain paste- or gruel-like material.