Value of sonographically guided needle sampling of cystic versus solid components in the diagnosis of complex cystic breast masses.

Background: The common practice for diagnosis of complex cystic breast masses (CCBM) may be imaging-guided aspiration or biopsy of cystic or solid components.

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic value of sonographically guided needle sampling of cystic and solid components for CCBM.

Material And Methods: Twenty patients with 20 CCBM underwent sonographically guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) for cystic components, followed by core needle biopsy (CNB) for residual solid components. The diagnostic results of each were evaluated. Excisional biopsy or mastectomy served as a reference standard.

Results: Fourteen (70%) masses were malignant. Needle sampling for cystic components of the 14 malignant tumors showed malignancy in one (7%), atypia in four (29%), benign findings in four (29%), and insufficient samples in five (36%). Needle sampling for residual solid components showed malignancy in 11 (79%), atypia in two (14%), and insufficient sample in one (7%). The diagnostic yield of needle sampling of solid components was significantly higher than that of cystic components for malignant CCBM (P<0.05). Sixteen (80%) of 20 CCBMs showed bloody fine-needle aspirates. There was no significant difference between the rates of bloody aspirates of malignant and benign CCBM (86% vs. 67%, P=0.55).

Conclusion: Sonographically guided needle sampling of solid components may help to identify most malignant CCBMs, and the aspirated fluid may be discarded due to low diagnostic value.