The INTEND 1 randomized controlled trial of duct endoscopy as an indicator of margin excision in breast conservation surgery.

Purpose: With early detection, breast conservation surgery with adequate surgical margins is the standard of care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of pre-operative duct endoscopy (DE) to target surgical resection, improve adequate margins and reduce re-excision operations.

Methods: Women with DCIS, stage I and II breast cancer suitable for breast conservation were randomized to DE-assisted wide local excision versus standard wide local excision (without DE).

Volume of blood suctioned during vacuum-assisted breast biopsy predicts later hematoma formation.

Background: To evaluate whether the volume of blood suctioned during vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) is associated with hematoma formation and progression, patient's age and histology of the lesion.

Findings: 177 women underwent VABB according to standardized protocol. The volume of blood suctioned and hematoma formation were noted at the end of the procedure, as did the subsequent development and progression of hematoma.

Breast ductal endoscopy: how many procedures qualify?

Background: Breast ductal endoscopy is a relatively new diagnostic method with ever growing importance in the work-up of patients with bloody nipple discharge. The ability to perform ductal endoscopy is very important and useful for breast fellows. Learning curve in breast ductal endoscopy remains a terra incognita, since no systematic studies have addressed this topic.

Evaluation of pain experienced during breast ductal endoscopy.

Purpose: Ductal endoscopy is valuable for the differential diagnosis of bloody nipple discharge; however, the pain associated with this procedure has not been evaluated. This study aims to assess the pain experienced by patients during ductal endoscopy.

Methods: We studied a consecutive series of women who underwent ductal endoscopy, to investigate the cause of bloody nipple discharge.

Pain during vacuum-assisted breast biopsy: are there any predictors?

Introduction: To assess the putative predictors that may be implicated in the pain experienced during stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB).

Materials And Methods: One hundred and thirty-five consecutive women with microcalcifications underwent VABB on the Fischer's table. The visual analogue scale was used to measure the degree of the "average pain" (AP).

Minimizing underestimation rate of microcalcifications excised via vacuum-assisted breast biopsy: a blind study.

Purpose: The main disadvantage of Vacuum Assisted Breast Biopsy (VABB) is the probability of underestimating atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). This study evaluates a modified way of performing VABB.

Methods: 266 women with microcalcifications graded BI-RADS 3&4 underwent VABB (11G) on the Fischer's table.

Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy: the value and limitations of cores with microcalcifications.

The aim of this study was to assess cores with microcalcifications (CM) and without microcalcifications (CWM) obtained from vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB). The study included 12 atypical ductal hyperplasias (ADH), 37 ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS), and seven invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC) diagnosed by VABB (11G) on the Fischer's table. More than 24 cores were excised.