Needle biopsy of the breast

Needle biopsies are often performed when a suspicious lesion is discovered by mammography or ultrasound exploration.

For cytological studies, fine needle aspiration cytology with a 22 G needle is performed under local anaesthesia. The tumour sample is then spread on a slide for cytological study.

Microbiopsy can be performed using a Trucut biopsy needle, which allows an adequate core sample of the lesion. Generally the biopsy is performed under local anaesthesia with precise location through US examination. Histological study may then be performed.

If the cytology study or the histological study is in accordance with the radiological (and clinical) findings, then the treatment can be planned according to the results. If not, before any ablative surgery, an extemporaneous study should be performed before any exeresis.

If the lesion is not palpable, a specific marking of the tumour should be performed by the radiologist, with a harpoon hook or using a blue dye technique, in order to help the surgeon to precisely locate the tumour.

Stereotaxic biopsies

New devices (called Mammotomes) allow stereotaxic biopsies with a simple immobilisation of the breast and the use of a computer to calculate the exact positioning for the trucut needle which is automatically guided to the biopsy location (the tumour observe on mammograms).

The following pictures show:

patient positioning,

needle setting for biopsy,

precise tumour marking for the computer,

skin anaesthesia,

breast tumour puncture,

tumour sample size,

tumour sample spreading on a specific grid before control radiography

the small residual biopsy scar on the patient's breast.