Stereotaxic fine-needle aspiration of low-suspicion, nonpalpable breast nodules: valid alternative to follow-up mammography.

Abstract

Seventy "low-suspicion," nonpalpable solid breast nodules were evaluated with stereotaxic fine-needle aspiration with cytologic analysis as an alternative to follow-up mammography. Sonography was performed in all cases to determine the solid nature of the nodules. Eight cysts were incorrectly classified with sonography, corresponding to atypical cysts; in such cases, however, stereotaxic fine-needle aspiration not only enabled the diagnosis, but was therapeutic as well. Fifty-eight of 70 breast aspirates (83%) yielded adequate cellular material for cytologic interpretation. A specific cytologic diagnosis was made in 52 cases (51 benign, one malignant). Insufficient cytologic material was obtained in 12 cases (17%). These results should help establish the validity of stereotaxic fine-needle aspiration with cytologic analysis as an alternative to follow-up mammography in patients with low-suspicion, solid breast nodules, reducing radiation exposure, patient anxiety, unnecessary biopsies, and costs.