Complications of percutaneous stereotactic vacuum assisted breast biopsy system utilizing radio frequency

• Published in: European journal of radiology 2013-04, Vol.82 (4), p.623-626
• Main Authors: Al-Harethee, Wasim, Theodoropoulos, George, Filippakis, Georgios Michael, Papapanagiotou, Ioannis, Matiatou, Maria, Georgiou, Georgia, Kalles, Vasileios, Koulocheri, Dimitra, Nonni, Afroditi, Konstadoulakis, Manousos M, Manouras, Andreas, Zografos, George C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biopsy - adverse effects; Biopsy - instrumentation; Breast Diseases - pathology; Complications; Female; Humans; Mammography; Middle Aged; Non-palpable mammographic lesions; Radio Waves; Radiofrequency; Radiology; Stereotactic breast biopsy; Stereotaxic Techniques - adverse effects; Stereotaxic Techniques - instrumentation; Vacuum; Vacuum assisted breast biopsy
• ISSN: 0720-048X; 1872-7727
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2011.12.023

Abstract Objective The Breast Lesion Excision System (BLES) is a novel, automatic breast biopsy device that utilizes radiofrequency to excise suspicious non-palpable mammographic lesions. The purpose of the present prospective study is to report and evaluate the complications of this new technique. Materials and methods In a two year period, we used the BLES device in 132 consecutive patients (134 procedures) with non-palpable mammographic lesions. The inclusion criteria consisted of suspicious microcalcifications, solid lesions and asymmetric density. In order to retrieve an intact biopsy specimen, we used the 12 mm, 15 mm or 20 mm tissue basket under local anesthesia, depending on the size of the lesion. Complications were recorded and classified as immediate if occurring during or shortly after the procedure, or late, if occurring in the post-procedure days. Results The procedure was considered successful in all cases, with mammographic confirmation of appropriate excision of the targeted lesion. Although, in a single case the basket initially failed to deploy. Immediate complications were encountered in 11 patients, with minor hemorrhage being the most common ( n = 6). 17 patients suffered late complications, in seven of whom delayed wound healing was observed. Overall, 27 patients suffered Grade 1 complications (20.14%), one patient experienced a Grade 2 complication while no patients encountered Grade 3–5 complications. Conclusions According to our experience, the BLES device is an efficient and safe breast biopsy method, with low complication rates, which are minor in their majority. It appears to be a very promising alternative to other, minimally invasive, breast biopsy techniques.