Women offered new breast biopsy technique

A Canadian research team has developed a new breast biopsy technique that could reduce procedure times and lessen patient discomfort and morbidity. In a study performed at Roberts Research Institute, the University of Western Ontario and London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada, the new technique used a mechanical arm to guide the needle for the biopsy and has a braking system that allows doctors to accurately place the needle and helps avoid needle motion. The study reports that biopsy success rates were greater when using our new guidance system,” said Aaron Fenster, MD, lead author of the study. “We also showed that experienced and inexperienced radiologists performed a biopsy significantly faster when using our needle guidance system,” said Dr. Fenster. The study was published in the June issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology This is good news for women facing a breast biopsy but the new guidance system still requires more testing in a clinical setting later this year before being approved for widespread use.