A special computerized mammography machine uses intersecting coordinates to pinpoint the area of tissue change. This method, called stereotactic biopsy or x-ray-guided biopsy, removes just enough of the suspicious area for a pathologist to review. It is most often used when mammography shows a mass, cluster of microcalcifications or area of abnormal tissue change, but no lump is palpable. Our radiologist can perform a core biopsy, which uses a large-bore needle to remove an adequate sample of breast tissue, and a vacuum-assisted needle biopsy device (VAD), which suctions a tissue sample.
X-ray-guided biopsies are performed when:
- A woman’s mammogram shows a suspicious solid mass that is not palpable.
- A woman’s mammogram shows a suspicious cluster of small calcium deposits.
- The structure of the breast tissue is distorted.
- A new mass or collection of calcium deposits is present at a previous surgery site.