Histological findings in surgical specimens after core biopsy of the breast

Tardivon, A.A.; Guinebretière, J.M.; Dromain, C.; Deghaye, M.; Caillet, H.; Georgin, V.

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Volume 42, Issue 1 , Pages 40-51, April 2002

Histological findings in surgical specimens after core biopsy of the breast

A.A. Tardivon
- Department of Radiology, Institut Gustave-Roussy, 39 rue Camille Desmoulins, 94805 Villejuif Cedex, France
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +33-142-11-4825; fax: +33-142-11-5279
J.M. Guinebretière
- Department of Pathology C, Institut Gustave-Roussy, 39 rue Camille Desmoulins, 94805 Villejuif Cedex, France
C. Dromain
- Department of Radiology, Institut Gustave-Roussy, 39 rue Camille Desmoulins, 94805 Villejuif Cedex, France
M. Deghaye
- Department of Radiology, Institut Gustave-Roussy, 39 rue Camille Desmoulins, 94805 Villejuif Cedex, France
H. Caillet
- Department of Radiology, Institut Gustave-Roussy, 39 rue Camille Desmoulins, 94805 Villejuif Cedex, France
V. Georgin
- Department of Radiology, Institut Gustave-Roussy, 39 rue Camille Desmoulins, 94805 Villejuif Cedex, France

Received 3 December 2001; received in revised form 4 December 2001; accepted 5 December 2001.

Abstract

Pathological changes induced by needling procedures found in breast surgical specimens are rare but can induce misinterpretation or compromise the definitive histological analysis. These abnormal findings depend on the interval between the core biopsy and excision. Early findings are local haemorrhage, disrupted tissue and epithelial cell displacement, whereas, fibrosis, fat necrosis and inflammatory reaction are observed later in time. The radiologists must be aware of these histological pitfalls and must consider the benefits of their core biopsies (indications, surgeon's question, number of samples).

Keywords: Breast biopsy, Breast neoplasm, Needle, Complications