Chiara Adriana Pistolese, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Francesca Bolacchi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Tommaso Perretta MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Elsa Cossu MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Francesca Della Gatta MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Giovanni Simonetti MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The objective of this study was to evaluate our clinical experience with CT-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VAB)

Preoperative contrast-enhanced helical CT scanning of the breast was performed on 13 female patients with mammographic, and ultrasonographic evidence of breast cancer who refused magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures due to serious anxiety or claustrophobia. The patients were scanned in the prone position with a specially designed CT-compatible device. A helical scan was made with rapid intravenous bolus injection (3 ml/s) of 100 ml of iodine contrast material. Helical scanning alone revealed additional contralateral suspicious enhancing lesions in four patients and additional ipsilateral lesions in five patients, not visible by US second look. The lesions were biopsied using a 10 Gauge VAB device under CT guidance with a dedicated stereotactic localizer device. Histology of biopsy specimens was compared with final histology after surgery.

Nine lesions in 9 patients were biopsied under CT-guidance using a 10 Gauge VAB device without significant complications. Diagnostic tissue was obtained in all cases. Histopathologic analysis confirmed that CT-guided VAB correctly distinguished benign lesions from malignancy in all the cases.

CT guided VAB as a minimally invasive tool to diagnose suspicious breast lesions is safe and reliable and it’s a valid alternative tool for patients who refuse magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures.

CT guided VAB as a minimally invasive tool to diagnose suspicious breast lesions not visible on conventional imaging is safe and reliable.

Pistolese, C, Bolacchi, F, Perretta, T, Cossu, E, Della Gatta, F, Simonetti, G, CT-guided Vacuum-assisted Breast Biopsy of Suspicious Breast Lesions Not Evident on Conventional Imaging.  Radiological Society of North America 2008 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, February 18 - February 20, 2008 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2008/6017376.html