OBJECTIVE: Vacuum-assisted biopsy is the percutaneous technique of breast biopsy with the lowest underestimation rate. However, the cost of such procedure is high and currently there is a considerable interest in developing less expensive techniques. The present study was aimed at testing a less expensive device for vacuum-assisted biopsy of breast microcalcifications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients with clustered microcalcifications classified as BI-RADS® 4 or 5 were submitted to biopsy. Collected specimen appropriateness, difficulties in the reinsertion of the cannula and number of biopsy passes were evaluated. RESULTS: Successful specimens collection was achieved in all of the patients. Histo-radiological disagreement, difficulties in the cannula reinsertion or severe complications were not observed. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that the method is effective in terms of specimens appropriateness and cost-benefit ratio as compared with of biopsy techniques for breast microcalcifications. Such findings are compatible with data reported in the literature.

Keywords: Breast biopsy, Vacuum-assisted biopsy, Mammotomy, Mammography, Microcalcifications, Vacora

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) and its characteristics, as well as its behavior before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), in both breasts of patients with unilateral breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional observational study involving a consecutive sample of women with invasive breast cancer who underwent breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between July 2007 and July 2017, as well as undergoing dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI before and after NAC. In both breasts, we evaluated the BPE in accordance with the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. We applied logistic regression analysis, and values of p < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: We evaluated 150 women. The mean age was 45.2 years (range, 20–74 years). The variables correlating independently with a high pre-NAC BPE, in the affected and contralateral breasts, were being under 50 years of age (odds ratio [OR] = 6.55; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.32–18.46, for both breasts) and a post-NAC BPE reduction (OR = 17.75; 95% CI: 4.94–63.73 and OR = 18.47; 95% CI: 5.19–66.49, respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients with invasive unilateral breast cancer who have a high pre-NAC BPE in both breasts tend to be under 50 years of age and to show a post-NAC reduction in BPE.

Keywords: Breast neoplasms/diagnostic imaging; Magnetic resonance imaging/methods; Antineoplastic agents/therapeutic use; Neoadjuvant treatment; Treatment outcome; Parenchymal tissue/diagnostic imaging.