Efficacy of the minimal-invasive vacuum-assisted biopsy under direct visualization with ultrasound for impalpable breast lesions in Taiwanese female: A retrospective case-control study

Abstract Background Although surgical excisional biopsy provides robust diagnostic results, the ultrasound-assisted vacuum-assisted biopsy (VABB) offers an alternative for Asian candidates with dense breasts and lesions which cannot be approached by stereotactic biopsy. The study aims to investigate the efficacy of the ultrasound-assisted VABB for impalpable mammographic-detected lesions. Methods A retrospective case-control study is conducted in a group of Taiwanese female patients who have impalpable breast lesions such as microcalcifications at screening mammography that are limited to BI-RADS category 4. Specifically, the lesions are categorized into three groups: 4a, 4b, 4c, and the histology from B2 through B5. The cases underwent ultrasound-assisted VABB and the controls had lumpectomies. The diagnostic accuracy, rate of discordance, excited tumor size, and the proportion of cancer cases is evaluated and compared using Fisher’s Exact test, Cohen’s kappa test, Chi-Square test, and the use of IBM SPSS statistical programs. Results The histology of the majorities of the collected specimen are B2 benign fibrocystic changes (60-70%). In cases of patients who are diagnosed with breast cancer, most are ductal carcinoma in situ and early-stage diseases. The cancer risks for lesions categorized under BI-RADS 4a, 4b, 4c respectively are consistent with clinical practice. Meanwhile, the diagnostic accuracy of VABB is similar to lumpectomy, as the histologic discordance rate did not differ significantly. Conclusions Ultrasound-assisted VABB does offer an option for patients who are not candidates for stereotactic biopsy, as it has shown to have non-inferior diagnostic values and cosmetic benefits when compared to surgical excision. The use of sonography monitors the biopsy process and guides the needle insertion thus is capable of obtaining samples from multiple directions, without risking the pectoralis muscles underneath. However, VABB may be intended for biopsies in lower-risk findings such as BI-RADS category 4a because doubts persist as complete excisional rates are operator-dependent.