Ultrasound-controlled stereotactic breast biopsy--description and initial clinical results of a new breast biopsy device

The aim of this prospective study was first to describe a new dedicated 3D-ultrasound guided stereotaxic breast biopsy unit and second its specificity, sensitivity, accuracy and positive predictive value (concerning malignant and benign lesions). Technical considerations are noted and discussed. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 45 women (aged between 20 and 77 years; mean age: 49.73 years) with sonographically suspect breast lesions were assigned to the new biopsy device (Sonopsy, NeoVision Corporation, Seattle). All biopsies were performed by an experienced radiologists (G. Wolf) and the results compared to the surgical biopsies. RESULTS: Sensitivity and accuracy was 93.3%, specificity 100%, the positive predictive value (concerning malignant lesions) 95.4% and (concerning benign lesions) 97.8%. In 9/45 biopsies (20%) complications were noted (1 hematoma, 2 collapses, 5 vasovagale reactions). In 13/45 Cases (28.9%) the suspect lesions were more distinctively, respectively more clearly defined on the conventional/dedicated sonography unit. CONCLUSION: This dedicated unit combines all advantages of sonographic and stereotaxic guided core biopsies. Our results show that this technique is a promising new method for breast biopsy.