Ultrasound-Guided Breast Biopsies

Currently, in the United States, most initial biopsy procedures are performed with percutaneous techniques [28]. Most biopsies of masses are performed with sonographic guidance. Ultrasound-guided biopsies may be performed with vacuum-assisted probes, core needles, or fine needles. Percutaneous ultrasound-guided biopsies can provide a definitive histopathologic diagnosis and allow optimal surgical planning, which often results in a single surgical procedure with adequate margins [29]. Ultrasound-guided biopsy of benign conditions allows the avoidance of open biopsies for benign processes. In addition, ultrasound-guided biopsies are less invasive, less deforming, less expensive, and faster than surgical biopsies. Physicians who perform ultrasound-guided breast biopsies must use appropriate techniques and be willing to assume responsibility for establishing imaging-pathologic concordance and render appropriate referral and follow-up recommendations [24]. Ongoing developments in ultrasound equipment and tissue-acquisition devices will allow more breast biopsies to be performed more accurately in the future.