Radiofrequency introducer eases breast biopsy

A radiofrequency (RF) introducer aids ultrasound-guided breast biopsy by making penetration of breast tissue easier, according to a report in the July issue of Radiology. The device has an electrosurgical cutting tip.

“The RF introducer can be used for all biopsies since it does not interfere with the quality of the specimen,” Dr. Nathalie Duchesne from Hopital du Saint-Sacrement, Quebec City told Reuters Health. “However, I think RF is of particular help in women with dense breasts–very fibrotic tissue–or dense lesions.”Dr. Duchesne and colleagues evaluated the utility of an RF introducer used along with a handheld breast biopsy system in 99 women scheduled for ultrasound-guided breast biopsy. A histologic diagnosis was obtained in 48 of 49 women whose biopsies were performed with the RF introducer and in all 50 women whose biopsies were performed without the RF introducer, the authors report. There were no RF introducer-related biopsy artifacts. On a five-point scale, the RF introducer provided easier penetration of breast tissue (1.6, compared with 2.4 among controls). This was especially so in patients with dense breasts (1.0 versus 2.9 in controls).Placement of the biopsy system was scored as easy or very easy in 82% of cases using the RF introducer, the researchers note, compared with 47% of the cases in which the RF introducer was not used. The difference was again more marked among women with dense breasts (90% versus 32%).Biopsy times with and without the RF introducer did not differ, the investigators report, and there were no significant differences in patient pain level or complications between the two groups. “With the help of RF, there should be no reason,” Dr. Duchesne concluded, “why a woman does not get an accurate diagnosis simply because of her dense breast parenchymal texture or dense lesion during breast biopsy.” (Source: Radiology 2004;232:205-210: Reuters Health News: Will Boggs, MD: Oncolink: July 2004)