<p>The aims of this work were to image and analyze the needle behavior at automated core biopsy, to investigate the clinical utility of an alternative core biopsy technique using a semiautomated gun in breast and axillary lesions, and also to compare core biopsy with surgical specimens in malignant breast lesions regarding histologic features and hormone receptor expression.</p><p>In two experimental studies, using butter and silicon phantoms, respectively, the needle pass was imaged and its dynamic behavior studied. It was shown that the needle took a curved course in phantoms. It deviated to the same side as where the tip lay, and the degree of the curvature increased with increasing hardness of the phantoms. Our experimental methods can be applied for imaging of needle behavior and thereby improvement of needle configuration.</p><p>In two clinical studies, a semiautomated gun was used for large needle core biopsy of breast and axillary lesions in two series of 145 and 21 patients, respectively. The sensitivity of the method for diagnosis of malignancy was 87% (108/124), and in 37% (31/83) of cases the full length of the needle notch was filled with specimen. No injury to the neurovascular structures of the axillary area was observed. It was concluded that the semiautomated gun can be used as an alternative to the automated gun when the size and location of the lesion render use of the automatic device uncertain or dangerous, e.g., in small breast lesions or lesions located in the axilla.</p><p>In a series of 129 cases of breast cancer, comparison of core biopsy and surgical specimens showed that core biopsy provided enough information on the histologic type and grade of the lesions. Also, there was moderate to high concordance between the two methods for assessment of progesterone receptors and estrogen receptors (Spearman`s kappa 0.67 and 0.89, respectively).</p>

The aims of this work were to image and analyze the needle behavior at automated core biopsy, to investigate the clinical utility of an alternative core biopsy technique using a semiautomated gun in breast and axillary lesions, and also to compare core biopsy with surgical specimens in malignant breast lesions regarding histologic features and hormone receptor expression. In two experimental studies, using butter and silicon phantoms, respectively, the needle pass was imaged and its dynamic behavior studied. It was shown that the needle took a curved course in phantoms. It deviated to the same side as where the tip lay, and the degree of the curvature increased with increasing hardness of the phantoms. Our experimental methods can be applied for imaging of needle behavior and thereby improvement of needle configuration. In two clinical studies, a semiautomated gun was used for large needle core biopsy of breast and axillary lesions in two series of 145 and 21 patients, respectively. The sensitivity of the method for diagnosis of malignancy was 87% (108/124), and in 37% (31/83) of cases the full length of the needle notch was filled with specimen. No injury to the neurovascular structures of the axillary area was observed. It was concluded that the semiautomated gun can be used as an alternative to the automated gun when the size and location of the lesion render use of the automatic device uncertain or dangerous, e.g., in small breast lesions or lesions located in the axilla. In a series of 129 cases of breast cancer, comparison of core biopsy and surgical specimens showed that core biopsy provided enough information on the histologic type and grade of the lesions. Also, there was moderate to high concordance between the two methods for assessment of progesterone receptors and estrogen receptors (Spearman`s kappa 0.67 and 0.89, respectively).

Cervical carcinoma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among women worldwide. Histological subtype, lymphovascular space invasion and tumor grade could have a prognostic and predictive value for patients’ outcome and the knowledge of these histologic characteristics may influence clinical decision making. However, studies evaluating the diagnostic value of various biopsy techniques regarding these parameters of cervical cancer are scarce. We reviewed 318 cases of cervical carcinoma with available pathology reports from preoperative core needle biopsy (CNB) assessment and from final postoperative evaluation of the hysterectomy specimen. Setting the postoperative comprehensive pathological evaluation as reference, we analysed CNB assessment of histological tumor characteristics. In addition, we performed multivariable logistic regression to identify factors influencing the accuracy in identifying LVSI and tumor grade. CNB was highly accurate in discriminating histological subtype. Sensitivity and specificity were 98.8% and 89% for squamous cell carcinoma, 92.9% and 96.6% for adenocarcinoma, 33.3% and 100% in adenosquamous carcinoma respectively. Neuroendocrine carcinoma was always recognized correctly. The accuracy of the prediction of LVSI was 61.9% and was positively influenced by tumor size in preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and negatively influenced by strong peritumoral inflammation. High tumor grade (G3) was diagnosed accurately in 73.9% of cases and was influenced by histological tumor type. In conclusion, CNB is an accurate sampling technique for histological classification of cervical cancer and represents a reasonable alternative to other biopsy techniques.

In breast cancer therapeutic decisions are based on the expression of estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), the human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) receptors and the proliferation marker Ki67. However, only little is known concerning heterogeneity between the primary tumor and axillary lymph node metastases (LNM) in the primary site. We retrospectively analyzed receptor profiles of 215 early breast cancer patients with axillary synchronous LNM. Of our cohort, 69% were therapy naive and did not receive neoadjuvant treatment. Using immunohistochemistry, receptor status and Ki67 were compared between core needle biopsy of the tumor (t-CNB) and axillary LNM obtained during surgery. The discordance rates between t-CNB and axillary LNM were 12% for HER2, 6% for ER and 20% for PR. Receptor discordance appears to already occur at the primary site. Receptor losses might play a role concerning overtreatment concomitant with adverse drug effects, while receptor gains might be an option for additional targeted or endocrine therapy. Hence, not only receptor profiles of the tumor tissue but also of the synchronous axillary LNM should be considered in the choice of treatment.

Les masses kystiques latérales du cou (MKLC) bénignes et malignes sont difficiles à différencier cliniquement. L’utilité des modalités d’imagerie et de prélèvement doit être clarifiée. Une revue rétrospective de cas entre 2010 et 2016. Les données d’imagerie ont été récoltées et plusieurs variables propres à la masse furent analysées. Les rapports de cytoponction à l’aiguille fine (CAAF), de la biopsie au trocart (BT) et des examens extemporanés (EE) ont été analysés. La sensibilité, la spécificité, la valeur prédictive positive (VPP) et la valeur prédictive négative (VPN) pour prédire la malignité ont été calculées pour toutes les variables comparées entre les masses kystiques bénignes et malignes. Aucune variable d’imagerie n’a pu différencier les masses kystiques bénignes de malignes. La sensibilité de la CAAF est plus basse que celle de la BT (59% vs 83%; p=0.036) et de l’EE (59% vs 93%; p=0.01). L’EE a une meilleure VPN que la CAAF (92% vs 40%; p<0.001) et que la BT (92% vs 50%; p=0.062). La VPP et la spécificité étaient similaires dans tous les groupes. Les cliniciens ne peuvent pas se fier uniquement à l’imagerie pour différencier les masses bénignes des masses malignes. Vu sa VPP adéquate (92%), la CAAF devrait être utilisée initialement pour tous les patients avec une MKLC. Si la CAAF s’avère négative, la BT devrait être utilisée vu sa meilleure sensibilité. Un examen extemporané devrait toujours suivre une BT négative vu la faible VPN de la BT. Un résultat positif à l’une des trois modalités de prélèvement indique la présence de malignité. / Benign and malignant lateral cystic neck masses (LCNM) are difficult to distinguish clinically. The usefulness of imaging and sampling modalities in clarifying the diagnosis remains unclear. Retrospective review of cases between 2010 and 2016. Imaging data was reviewed and the variables pertaining to the mass were assessed including the following: size, nodal level, fat stranding, extracapsular spread, calcifications, vascularity, necrosis and standardized uptake value. Sampling reports of fine-needle aspiration (FNA), core-needle biopsy (CNB) and frozen section (FS) were also assessed. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for predicting malignancy were calculated for all variables and compared between benign and malignant cystic neck masses. Ultrasound was used in 47.2% and CT-Scan in 90.5% of patients. No variables on imaging could definitely differentiate benign from malignant LCNM. FNA had a lower sensitivity then CNB (59% vs 83%; p=0.036) and FS (59% vs 93%; p=0.01). FS had a better NPV when compared to FNA (92% vs 40%; p<0.001) and CNB (92% vs 50%; p=0.062). Specificities and PPV were similar among all groups. Clinicians cannot rely on imaging to differentiate benign from malignant LCNM. Given its adequate PPV (92%), FNA should be used initially on lateral cystic neck masses. Because of its high sensitivity, CNB should be considered if FNA is not diagnostic of malignancy. FS should always follow a CNB not indicative of malignancy, because of the low NPV. Any result diagnostic of malignancy on either FNA, CNB or FS strongly indicates presence of malignancy.