Abstract
Background
Nonpalpable breast lesions pose a challenge in their early diagnosis. Image-guided
biopsy is preferred in these cases so that a pathological diagnosis of breast carcinoma
is reached timely for a better prognosis as the disease has an increased chance of
successful outcome with early identification and treatment.
Objective
The study aims at evaluating the role of stereotactic core needle biopsy (CNB) and
percutaneous ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy (US-CNB) in diagnosing suspicious
nonpalpable breast lesions.
Methods
Our study included 35 patients with nonpalpable breast lesions and having a Breast
Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) risk assessment category IV or V on mammography
or sonography. These 35 lesions were subjected to percutaneous image-guided (stereotactic
or US) biopsy for histopathological analysis.
Results
Out of a total of 35 cases, 17 were pathologically malignant (48.6%), with the most
common subtype being invasive ductal carcinoma (82.3%). Twenty-nine cases underwent
US-CNB, 16 (55.1%) of which were malignant and 13 (44.8%) were benign on histopathological
evaluation (HPE). The remaining six cases, which on mammography showed no mass but
suspicious malignant calcification only, were subjected to stereotactic CNB, out of
which one (16.6%) was malignant and five (83.3%) were benign on HPE. Hence, the lesions
visible on sonography were more likely to be malignant.
Conclusion
Sonography and mammography play a complimentary role in detecting breast carcinoma.
Percutaneous biopsy under image guidance can be used as an accurate diagnostic alternative
to open surgical excisional biopsy to avoid diagnostic delay.
Keywords
breast cancer - ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy - stereotactic core needle biopsy
- Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System - histopathology
