Image-guidance is an extremely useful adjunct in the performance of percutaneous biopsy of palpable breast lesions. Image-guidance confirms the proper placement of the biopsy device into the lesion (when core needle device is used), or immediately below the lesion (when vacuum-assisted device is used). Performing percutaneous breast biopsy procedures without the use of image-guidance may lead to false negative results since the biopsy device cannot be confirmed to be in the proper position to obtain tissue from the suspect mass. In most, if not all instances of image-guided biopsy of palpable breast lesions, ultrasound is the preferred image-guidance modality.

*percutaneous is defined as needle core biopsy with Tru-cut style devices or vacuum-assisted or rotating cutter type devices introduced through a small cutaneous incision.

Approved, January 29, 2001
Board of Directors
The American Society of Breast Surgeons