Clinical Utility of Ultrasound Guided Core Needle Biopsy of Axillary Lymph Nodes with Radio-pathological Correlation: A Medical Audit of Tertiary Care Breast Imaging Unit
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the results of core needle biopsies, its effectiveness in preoperative assessment and to improve the standards of clinical care and efficient utilization of resources.
Methodology: A retrospective audit of core needle biopsy of axillary lymph nodes was done in Dow Institute of Radiology of Dow University of Health Sciences, OJHA campus from January 2021- December 2021 was done. All the patients who came to Breast Unit of Dow Institute of Radiology for diagnostic ultrasound guided core needle biopsies of suspicious axillary lymph nodes in already diagnosed and in suspected breast cancer were included in the study. Patients who were lost to follow up or with non-availability of laboratory data were excluded from the study.
Results: On histopathology, out of the 154 lymph nodes, 40 (25.79%) were found to be negative, 110 (71.42%) were positive and four patients had inadequate sample. Most common metastatic lymph nodal involvement was seen in infiltrating ductal carcinoma followed by invasive lobular carcinoma. Mean age of the patients were calculated to be 45 years with a range of 16-76 years.
Conclusion: Core needle biopsy is an effective, less invasive and cost effective method for preoperative axillary staging.
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