Nondiagnostic Core Needle Biopsy of the Breast under Imaging Guidance: Result of Rebiopsy
Cholatip Wiratkapun, MD*, Bussanee Wibulpholprasert, MD*, Sansanee Wongwaisayawan, MD**, Kamoltum Pulpinyo, MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University ** Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University
Objective : To determine the rate and the clinical application of recommendation for repeat biopsy after core
needle biopsy (CNB) under imaging guidance and to determine the result of rebiopsy
Materials and Methods : A retrospective review was performed in 1,306 consecutive women who underwent
core needle biopsy under imaging guidance at the breast diagnostic center, the Faculty of Medicine,
Ramathibodi Hospital from October 1997 to March 2004.
Results : Among 1,306 patients, there were 44 patients (3.37%) who had undergone rebiopsy. The three most
common reasons for recommendation of rebiopsy were discordant imaging and pathology, atypical ductal
hyperplasia and inadequate specimen. The authors found 12 malignancies subsequently found in rebiopsy
(27.3%). The most common reason for rebiopsy in this group was inadequate specimen.
Conclusion : Core needle biopsy under imaging guidance is a minimally invasive diagnostic tool and promises
high accuracy and reliability. However, some patients need rebiopsy to exclude hidden malignancy. The co-
operation between the radiologists, surgeons and pathologists are prudent for giving the best care to the
patients.
Keywords : Core needle biopsy of the breast, Stereotactic core needle biopsy, Discordant imaging and pathology
