Value of Sonographically Guided Needle Sampling of Cystic versus Solid Components in the Diagnosis of Complex Cystic Breast Masses

• Published in: Acta radiologica (1987) 2009-07, Vol.50 (6), p.595-601
• Main Authors: Lin, Wen-Chiung, Hsu, Giu-Cheng, Yu, Cheng-Ping, Yu, Jyh-Cherng, Lee, Hsiu-Nan, Hsu, Hsian-He, Chang, Tsun-Hou, Chen, Tom, Li, Chao-Shiang, Huang, Guo-Shu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy, Fine-Needle - methods; Breast Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Female; Fibrocystic Breast Disease - diagnostic imaging; Fibrocystic Breast Disease - pathology; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 0284-1851; 1600-0455
• DOI: 10.1080/02841850902902573

Background: The common practice for diagnosis of complex cystic breast masses (CCBM) may be imaging-guided aspiration or biopsy of cystic or solid components. Purpose: To assess the diagnostic value of sonographically guided needle sampling of cystic and solid components for CCBM. Material and Methods: Twenty patients with 20 CCBM underwent sonographically guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) for cystic components, followed by core needle biopsy (CNB) for residual solid components. The diagnostic results of each were evaluated. Excisional biopsy or mastectomy served as a reference standard. Results: Fourteen (70%) masses were malignant. Needle sampling for cystic components of the 14 malignant tumors showed malignancy in one (7%), atypia in four (29%), benign findings in four (29%), and insufficient samples in five (36%). Needle sampling for residual solid components showed malignancy in 11 (79%), atypia in two (14%), and insufficient sample in one (7%). The diagnostic yield of needle sampling of solid components was significantly higher than that of cystic components for malignant CCBM (P