[Benign papilloma: is US-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy an alternative to surgical biopsy?]

Ultrasound-guided 7-gauge vacuum-assisted core biopsy: Could it be sufficient for the diagnosis and treatment of intraductal papilloma?

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether ultrasound-guided 7-gauge vacuum-assisted core biopsy is sufficient for the diagnosis and treatment of intraductal papilloma and to evaluate the lesion characteristics and histologic features affecting the excision rate of papilloma with vacuum-assisted core biopsy. Between March 2008 and October 2016, 2816 patients underwent US-guided, 7-gauge vacuum-assisted core biopsy (VACB). In them, 101 (3.6%) were demonstrated to have intraductal papilloma by pathology. The accurate diagnostic rate and excision rate of intraductal papilloma after vacuum-assisted core biopsy were evaluated by open surgical biopsy or follow-up US. The lesion characteristics and histologic features were analyzed to identify factors affecting the excision rate of papilloma after VACB. Of the 101 intraductal papillomas, 83 (82.2%) cases were benign papilloma. Two cases were intraductal papilloma accompanied by invasive carcinoma. Sixteen (15.8%) cases were with signs of atypical hyperplasia. In them, one intraductal papilloma accompanied by severe atypical hyperplasia underwent further surgery, and it was demonstrated to have intraductal papilloma accompanied by invasive carcinoma. The accurate diagnostic rate of intraductal papillomas by 7-gauge VACB was 99.0% (100/101). There was no recurrence or malignant transformation in 85.1% (86/101) intraductal papillomas after 7-gauge vacuum-assisted core biopsy. Intraductal papilloma with largest diameter <1 cm, with clear margin, without branch involvement or calcification had a significantly higher excision rate. Seven-gauge VACB is an effective method for the diagnosis of intraductal papilloma of the breast. If histopathological examination confirms a benign character of the lesion, surgery may be avoided but regular follow-up is recommended. If histopathological examination confirms a papilloma with moderate to severe atypical hyperplasia, it was strongly recommended for surgical excision. Lesion characteristics and histologic features could affect the excision rate of intraductal papillomas with VACB.

Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy for breast cancer

Sonographic examination of the breast with state-of-the-art equipment has become an essential part of the clinical work-up of breast lesions and a valuable adjunct to mammographic screening and physical examination. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and core-needle biopsy (CNB) are well-established, valuable techniques that are still used in most cases, whereas vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) is a more recent technique. VABB has proven clinical value and can be used under sonographic, mammographic, and magnetic resonance imaging guidance. The main indication for the use of VABB is for biopsies of clustered microcalcifications, which are usually performed under stereotactic guidance. This method has been proven reliable and should replace surgical biopsies. The ultrasound-guided procedure is still more a matter of discussion, but it should also replace surgical biopsies for nodular lesions, and it should even replace surgery for the complete removal of benign lesions. This viewpoint is gradually gaining acceptance. Different authors have shown increased diagnostic accuracy of VABB compared to FNA and CNB. VABB particularly leads to less histological underestimation. The other indications for VABB are palpable or nonpalpable nodular lesions or American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System 3 and 4A lesions. For masses that are likely benign or indeterminate, we attempt to completely remove the lesion to eliminate uncertainty on later follow-up images. VABB offers the best possible histological sampling and aids avoidance of unnecessary operations. VABB complications include bleeding or pain during the procedure, as well as postoperative pain, hemorrhaging, and hematomas. But, these hemorrhaging could be controlled by the post-procedural compression and bed resting. Overall, VABB is a reliable sampling technique with few complications, is relatively easy to use, and is well-tolerated by patients. The larger amount of extracted tissue reduces sampling error.

Vacuum-assisted core biopsy in diagnosis and treatment of intraductal papillomas

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess the value of mammographically-guided and ultrasonographically-guided vacuum-assisted core biopsy (VACB) in the diagnosis and treatment of intraductal papillomas of breast and to answer the question of whether biopsy with the Mammotome (Mammotome; Cincinnati, OH) allows the avoidance of surgery in these patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In the period 2000 to 2010, a total of 1896 vacuum-assisted core biopsies were performed, of which 1183 were ultrasonographically guided and 713 were mammographically guided (stereotaxic).

RESULTS

In 62 patients (3.2%) histopathologic examination confirmed intraductal papilloma, and in 12 patients (19.4%) atypical lesions were also found. Open surgical biopsy specimens revealed invasive cancer in 2 women these 12 women (false-negative rate, 16.7%; negative predictive value, 83.3%). Biopsy specimens from the remaining 50 patients (80.6%) revealed papilloma without atypia, and further clinical observation and imaging examinations did not show recurrence or malignant transformation of lesions. Hematoma developed in 3 (4.8%) patients as a complication of biopsy; surgical intervention was not required in any of the patients.

CONCLUSION

VACB is a minimally invasive and efficient method for diagnosing intraductal papilloma of the breast. If histopathologic examination confirms a benign lesion and corresponds to the clinical presentation, surgery may be avoided. However in all cases, histopathologic diagnosis of papilloma with atypical hyperplasia or a suspected malignant lesion in imaging examinations, despite negative biopsy results, should always be an indication for surgical excision.

Potential application of ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted excision (US-VAE) for well-selected intraductal papillomas of the breast: single-institutional experiences

BACKGROUND

The study objective was to evaluate our experiences of ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted excision (US-VAE) of benign intraductal papillomas, and to discuss its potential application as a minimally invasive treatment

METHODS

We reviewed the sonographic and histologic features of 29 benign intraductal papillomas removed by US-VAE. The procedure was recommended on the basis of our indications. For validation of selection criteria, the sonographic and pathologic characteristics of surgically excised 94 papillary lesions during the same period were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean diameter of the lesions was 9.8 mm (range 5-15 mm). There was no mass that abutted the skin or pectoralis muscle and extended the branching ducts. All lesions were category 3 or category 4a. The pathologic diagnoses of all removed masses were benign. Local recurrence was observed in one patient. According to the validation study, papillary lesions less than 1.5 cm of category 3 or 4a were mostly reported to be benign (95.9%, 47 of 49).

CONCLUSIONS

US-VAE may be a useful alternative to surgical excision in well-selected benign intraductal papillomas.

US-guided vacuum-assisted percutaneous excision for management of benign papilloma without atypia diagnosed at US-guided 14-gauge core needle biopsy

PURPOSE

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound (US)-guided vacuum-assisted excision (VAE) for the postbiopsy management of benign papilloma without atypia after US-guided 14-gauge core needle biopsy (CNB).

METHODS

This was an institutional review board-approved retrospective study, with a waiver of informed consent. After a review of the histologic results and postbiopsy management of US-guided CNB performed from January 2007 through April 2009, 122 benign papillomas without atypia were diagnosed at CNB and excised percutaneously with US-guided VAE. Among them, a total of 67 papillomas having surgical excision (n = 5) or at least 2 years' US follow-up (n = 62) after VAE were enrolled onto this study. We reviewed the medical records, US findings, and pathologic results obtained before and after VAE. Over the follow-up period, whether any malignancy at the site of the VAE was diagnosed was evaluated.

RESULTS

The pathologic results of 67 VAEs were benign in 63 (94%) and atypical in four (6%). None of 63 benign lesions proved to be malignant after surgical excision (n = 1) or US follow-up (n = 62). Of four atypical lesions, however, one was upgraded to ductal carcinoma-in-situ (25%) after surgical excision. Of 62 benign VAE results having US follow-up, 56 (90.3%) showed no residual lesion at the site of the VAE.

CONCLUSIONS

For the postbiopsy management of benign papilloma without atypia after US-guided CNB, US-guided VAE was accurate and could be alternative to surgery. In cases of diagnosis of atypical lesion at VAE, however, surgery should be performed for a definitive diagnosis.

Ultrasound-guided diagnostic breast biopsy methodology: retrospective comparison of the 8-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy approach versus the spring-loaded 14-gauge core biopsy approach

Background

Ultrasound-guided diagnostic breast biopsy technology represents the current standard of care for the evaluation of indeterminate and suspicious lesions seen on diagnostic breast ultrasound. Yet, there remains much debate as to which particular method of ultrasound-guided diagnostic breast biopsy provides the most accurate and optimal diagnostic information. The aim of the current study was to compare and contrast the 8-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy approach and the spring-loaded 14-gauge core biopsy approach.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was done of all ultrasound-guided diagnostic breast biopsy procedures performed by either the 8-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy approach or the spring-loaded 14-gauge core biopsy approach by a single surgeon from July 2001 through June 2009.

Results

Among 1443 ultrasound-guided diagnostic breast biopsy procedures performed, 724 (50.2%) were by the 8-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy technique and 719 (49.8%) were by the spring-loaded 14-gauge core biopsy technique. The total number of false negative cases (i.e., benign findings instead of invasive breast carcinoma) was significantly greater (P = 0.008) in the spring-loaded 14-gauge core biopsy group (8/681, 1.2%) as compared to in the 8-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy group (0/652, 0%), with an overall false negative rate of 2.1% (8/386) for the spring-loaded 14-gauge core biopsy group as compared to 0% (0/148) for the 8-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy group. Significantly more (P < 0.001) patients in the spring-loaded 14-gauge core biopsy group (81/719, 11.3%) than in the 8-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy group (18/724, 2.5%) were recommended for further diagnostic surgical removal of additional tissue from the same anatomical site of the affected breast in an immediate fashion for indeterminate/inconclusive findings seen on the original ultrasound-guided diagnostic breast biopsy procedure. Significantly more (P < 0.001) patients in the spring-loaded 14-gauge core biopsy group (54/719, 7.5%) than in the 8-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy group (9/724, 1.2%) personally requested further diagnostic surgical removal of additional tissue from the same anatomical site of the affected breast in an immediate fashion for a benign finding seen on the original ultrasound-guided diagnostic breast biopsy procedure.

Conclusions

In appropriately selected cases, the 8-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy approach appears to be advantageous to the spring-loaded 14-gauge core biopsy approach for providing the most accurate and optimal diagnostic information.

Image-guided breast biopsy: state-of-the-art

Percutaneous image-guided breast biopsy is widely practised to evaluate predominantly non-palpable breast lesions. There has been steady development in percutaneous biopsy techniques. Fine-needle aspiration cytology was the original method of sampling, followed in the early 1990s by large core needle biopsy. The accuracy of both has been improved by ultrasound and stereotactic guidance. Larger bore vacuum-assisted biopsy devices became available in the late 1990s and are now commonplace in most breast units. We review the different types of breast biopsy devices currently available together with various localization techniques used, focusing on their advantages, limitations and current controversial clinical management issues.

Ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted excision of breast papillomas: review of 6-years experience

AIM

To review the outcome of vacuum-assisted removal of breast papillomas performed in the Bolton Breast Unit.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-six benign breast papillomas were excised using an ultrasound-guided, vacuum-assisted technique under local anaesthetic over a 6-year period. An 8G Mammotome was used for 12 lesions, an 11G Mammotome for 13 lesions and a 7G EnCor for one lesion. The mean lesion size was 9 mm (range 3-17 mm). The mean number of cores taken per case was nine.

RESULTS

One patient developed a post-procedure haematoma, which did not require treatment. There were no other short-term complications. None of the papillomas were associated with atypia or malignancy. Subsequent breast imaging (mostly routine screening mammography) was reviewed and evidence of recurrence recorded. To date, 16 patients have received at least one subsequent routine screening mammogram, with a mean follow-up to latest mammogram of 30 months. Mammographic evidence of papilloma regrowth has been observed in two patents, with a third patient presenting with recurrence of the original symptom of a palpable lump. All three recurrent lesions were surgically excised and confirmed to be benign papillomas. These lesions measured 6, 12, and 15 mm prior to the original vacuum-assisted excision.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggests that vacuum-assisted removal is a satisfactory alternative to surgery for the majority of patients, but that particular attention should be paid to ensuring complete lesion removal in view of the relatively high recurrence rate in this series.