The biopsy of nonpalpable breast lesions detected on mammography.

This is a review of the positive biopsy rate of nonpalpable breast lesions detected on mammography. The histology of 130 hookwire excision biopsy from 1990 to 1995 and the cytology of 39 stereotactic fine needle aspiration cytology in 1995 were reviewed. The yearly positive biopsy rate of each procedure was determined. In 1990, the positive biopsy rate for hookwire excision biopsy was 15%, in 1991 20%, in 1992 11%, in 1993 17%, in 1994 33% and in 1995 39%. In 1995, the positive biopsy rate for stereotactic fine needle aspiration cytology was 21%. The positive biopsy rate for hookwire excision biopsy had improved from 15% in 1990 to 39% in 1995.