Three-dimensional ultrasound-guided core needle breast biopsy.

A new core needle breast biopsy system guided by 3-D ultrasound (US) is proposed. Our device provides rapid imaging and real-time guidance, as well as breast stabilization and a needle guidance apparatus using 3-D imaging. The targeting accuracy of our device was tested by inserting a 14-gauge biopsy needle into agar phantoms under 3-D US guidance. A total of 18 0.8-mm stainless-steel beads embedded in the phantoms defined each of the four target positions tested. Positioning accuracy was calculated by comparing needle tip position to the preinsertion bead position, as measured by three observers three times each on 3-D US. The interobserver standard error of measurement was no more than 0.14 mm for the beads and 0.27 mm for the needle tips. A 3-D principal component analysis was performed to obtain the population distribution of needle tip position relative to the target beads for the four target positions. The 3-D 95% confidence intervals were found to have total widths ranging from 0.43 to 1.71 mm, depending on direction and bead position.