PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate various systems for large core biopsy. First to determine the volume of specimen that can be removed with each minimal-invasive method and second to compare their consistency. With respect to the optimum of volume which can be acquired the 12-G system should be optimized by special modifications. METHODS: Examinations were performed on a phantom. We used 8 automatic, one sequential-automatic and 4 halfautomatic highspeed core biopsy systems of 16-, 14- and 12 G as well as the 11G vacuum biopsy. The weight and consistency of the specimen was determined in every case. The 12G system was optimized by enlargement of the biopsy chamber. RESULTS: The 11G vacuum biopsy exhibited best results concerning the weight of the specimen (93.7 +/- 13.5 mg). The results achieved with high speed core biopsy varied with the needle diameter as well as with the technique. Semi- and halfautomatic systems were superior to automatic systems. Best results among highspeed core biopsy systems were achieved with the modified 12G biopsy needle (41.3 +/- 4.4 mg). CONCLUSION: As expected, largest volume of specimen can be removed with vacuum biopsy. High speed core biopsy systems are inferior to vacuum biopsy. Nevertheless, the amount of volume achieved can be increased to 22.4 mg by using 14G needles and to 41.3 mg by using 12G needles. The modified 12-G needle may be considered as an less expensive alternative to 11G vacuum biopsy.
PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate various systems for large core biopsy. First to determine the volume of specimen that can be removed with each minimal-invasive method and second to compare their consistency. With respect to the optimum of volume which can be acquired the 12-G system should be optimized by special modifications. METHODS: Examinations were performed on a phantom. We used 8 automatic, one sequential-automatic and 4 halfautomatic highspeed core biopsy systems of 16-, 14- and 12 G as well as the 11G vacuum biopsy. The weight and consistency of the specimen was determined in every case. The 12G system was optimized by enlargement of the biopsy chamber. RESULTS: The 11G vacuum biopsy exhibited best results concerning the weight of the specimen (93.7 +/- 13.5 mg). The results achieved with high speed core biopsy varied with the needle diameter as well as with the technique. Semi- and halfautomatic systems were superior to automatic systems. Best results among highspeed core biopsy systems were achieved with the modified 12G biopsy needle (41.3 +/- 4.4 mg). CONCLUSION: As expected, largest volume of specimen can be removed with vacuum biopsy. High speed core biopsy systems are inferior to vacuum biopsy. Nevertheless, the amount of volume achieved can be increased to 22.4 mg by using 14G needles and to 41.3 mg by using 12G needles. The modified 12-G needle may be considered as an less expensive alternative to 11G vacuum biopsy.