Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of two breast biopsy procedures: surgical biopsy and vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB).
Materials and methods: Between November 2008 and September 2009, 200 patients with suspicious breast lesions underwent biopsy procedures at our radiology department: 100 underwent VAB and 100 underwent surgical biopsy. 66 lesions were sampled under sonographic guidance, 109 under mammographic guidance and 25 under magnetic resonance guidance.
Results: All procedures were successfully completed. No significant differences in diagnostic efficacy were found between the biopsy procedures. Surgical biopsy has a higher unit cost compared with VAB.
Conclusions: Our analysis emphasises the benefits of VAB compared with surgical biopsy in terms of both cost-effectiveness, and less invasiveness from a psychological and aesthetic point of view.