Nondiagnostic core needle biopsy of the breast under imaging guidance: Result of rebiopsy

Abstract

Objective: To determine the rate and the clinical application of recommendation for repeat biopsy after core needle biopsy (CNB) under imaging guidance and to determine the result of rebiopsy. Material and Method: A retrospective review was performed in 1,306 consecutive women who underwent core needle biopsy under imaging guidance at the breast diagnostic center, the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital from October 1997 to March 2004. Results: Among 1,306 patients, there were 44 patients (3.37%) who had undergone rebiopsy. The three most common reasons for recommendation of rebiopsy were discordant imaging and pathology, atypical ductal hyperplasia and inadequate specimen. The authors found 12 malignancies subsequently found in rebiopsy (27.3%). The most common reason for rebiopsy in this group was inadequate specimen. Conclusion: Core needle biopsy under imaging guidance is a minimally invasive diagnostic tool and promises high accuracy and reliability. However, some patients need rebiopsy to exclude hidden malignancy. The cooperation between the radiologists, surgeons and pathologists are prudent for giving the best care to the patients.