Core Versus Vacuum-Assisted Postbiopsy Breast Clip Migration Rates.

Division

East Florida

Hospital

Aventura Hospital and Medical Center

Document Type

Manuscript

Publication Date

5-14-2025

Keywords

breast cancer care, breast cancer management, breast cancer treatment, clip migration, surgical clip migration

Disciplines

Diagnosis | Neoplasms | Radiology | Surgical Procedures, Operative

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Biopsy clip migration is a well-known complication that can occur after breast biopsies with potentially devastating effects on patient care and treatment. The purpose of this study is to compare the rates of postbiopsy clip migration after the two most common methods of biopsy: core-needle biopsy (Core) and vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB).

METHODOLOGY: A retrospective review of 153 postbiopsy mammograms (103 Core and 50 VAB) was conducted from March 2024 to March 2025 at three breast imaging centers in southeastern Florida. Only postbiopsy mammograms from a single, randomly selected radiologist will be evaluated to serve as a self-control for any differences in techniques between radiologists. Mammographically occult lesions were excluded from evaluation. Rates of clip migration (with clinically significant migration being defined as 5 mm or greater) were evaluated between the two biopsy techniques while controlling for age and breast density (as defined by Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System nomenclature).

RESULTS: Of the 153 biopsies examined, 18 (11.76%) demonstrated clinically significant clip migration (≥5 mm). Of these, VAB demonstrated a significantly higher migration rate of 24% (12 cases) compared to Core biopsies (5.8%, six cases) (p = 0.00265).

CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that VAB is associated with a significantly increased risk of clip migration compared to Core biopsies. Optimization of clip deployment strategies in VAB procedures may mitigate migration risk. Further prospective studies are warranted to refine procedural techniques, materials and enhance clip stability to improve localization accuracy in subsequent interventions.

Publisher or Conference

Cureus

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