A biopsy is a procedure in which breast tissue is obtained for inspection under a microscope. In the past, the only way to accomplish that was via a surgical biopsy, which involves an incision, tissue removal, and stitches. While that remains an option, today we have a less invasive procedure. When the abnormality is visible by mammography, a stereotactic biopsy is possible and preferable. When the abnormality is only visible on ultrasound, a closely related procedure called an ultrasound-guided breast biopsy is performed.

A stereotactic table is a fancy mammogram machine oriented horizontally. A table with a hole in its center is mounted over the top of the mammogram machine. You will be positioned face-down on the table with your breast suspended through the hole, and compression is applied much like that for a standard mammogram. A series of pictures is taken and, using a computer workstation, we can determine exactly where the abnormality is located within the breast tissue. Using the computer workstation for guidance, and plenty of local anesthetic, we place a biopsy device (called a Mammotome®) in the proper position and take several tissue examples. You will leave with a Band-Aid and an ice pack.

A core needle biopsy is a procedure in which tissue samples are obtained with a spring-loaded needle. This device was used for several years in conjunction with the stereotactic table until the Mammotome was invented. The core needle biopsy is still used under ultrasound guidance, for abnormalities visible only on an ultrasound. When using the stereotactic table we have found that the Mammotome delivers consistently more accurate, complete results. For this reason, we no longer perform core needle biopsies under stereotactic guidance. Please click on "FAQ" for answers to your questions about your biopsy procedure.