The impact of needle size in US-guided Core-Needle Breast Biopsy: comparison of 14-, 16- and 18-gauge needles

• Published in: Clinical breast cancer 2017
• Main Authors: Giuliani, Michela, Rinaldi, Pierluigi, Rella, Rossella, Fabrizi, Gina, Petta, Federica, Carlino, Giorgio, Di Leone, Alba, Mulè, Antonino, Bufi, Enida, Romani, Maurizio, Belli, Paolo, Bonomo, Lorenzo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine; Obstetrics and Gynecology
• ISSN: 1526-8209
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2017.02.008

Abstract Introduction aim of the study is to assess the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography-guided core-needle biopsy (US-CNB) of breast lesions comparing smaller needles (16-gauge and 18-gauge) with 14-gauge (G) needle and to analyse lesion characteristics influencing US-CNB diagnostic performance. Materials and Methods Informed consent was obtained before biopsy procedure. Breast lesions submitted to US-CNB in our Institution, from January 2011 to January 2015, were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria: availability of 1) surgical histopathological examination of the entire lesion; or 2) radiological follow-up (FUP) ≥24 months. Exclusion criteria: Preoperative neoadjuvant therapy. The CNB results were compared with surgical pathological results or with FUP evolution in the three needle size groups (14G, 16G and 18G). Needle size- and lesion characteristics-specific diagnostic accuracy parameters were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed with a dedicated software program and a P value of ≤0.01 was considered significant. Results 1118 US-CNB (1042 patients) were included: 630/1118 (56.3%) performed with 14G, 136/1118 (12.2%) with 16G and 352/1118 (31.5%) with 18G needle. Surgery was performed on 800 (71.6%) lesions: 619 malignant, 77 high-risk and 104 benign. 318 (28.4%) lesions underwent imaging FUP: all were stable and therefore they were considered benign. No differences were observed in diagnostic accuracy parameters among the three needle size groups (p>.01). False-negative rate was higher for lesion smaller then 10mm (7.2%) (p.01). Conclusion US-CNB performed with small needles (16G and 18G) shows the same diagnostic accuracy of 14G-US-CNB, regardless of lesions’ characteristics.