Purpose: To evaluate the advantages of using an active marker (active micro coil) for MR-guided breast biopsy procedures.
Materials and methods: An add-on breast biopsy guidance device used with a standard breast coil was equipped with an active marker. The marker's position was determined with a dedicated MRI sequence. In combination with custom software, the biopsy planning process was reduced basically to defining the target in the diagnostic MR images. Automatic control scans verified the settings of the biopsy guidance device. To measure the targeting accuracy, x-ray control of the needle placement was performed in phantoms containing 36 small titanium cylinders. The reliability of the procedure was evaluated in 24 core needle biopsies on phantoms. Workflow enhancements were analyzed.
Results: The root mean square deviation of the needle position from the target perpendicular to the needle axis was 1.25 mm, in three-dimensions it was 1.35 mm. All targets were sampled successfully. The duration of a phantom biopsy was nine minutes.
Conclusion: The use of an active marker can offer advantages for MR-guided breast biopsies in terms of handling and procedure time as well as accuracy.
(c) 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.