Fourteen-gauge needle core biopsy of mammographically evident radial scars: Is excision necessary?

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Radial scars are benign lesions that may mimic breast carcinoma on mammography and usually are managed by excision biopsy. The authors report their experience with stereotactic needle core biopsy (SNCB) in sampling these lesions. METHODS. A prospective study examined a consecutive series of 75 mammographically detected radial scars from a population-based screening program. In patients who were sampled by SNCB followed by surgical biopsy, the histologic findings of core biopsy and the gold standard of excision biopsy were compared. RESULTS. Sixty-three patients were sampled by core biopsy: SNCB was used in 55 patients (87.0%), and ultrasound-guided needle core biopsy (UNCB) was u..