[On-target accuracy of tumour punctures in the breast. Possible sources of error in puncture cytology (author's transl)].

Puncture cytology can yield false results if the tumour to be explored is not definitely located by the puncture needle. The risk of missing the tumour is particularly great if the tumour is small. We do not know of any safe method to control and ensure on-target accuracy. In the course of 3 years we punctured in 203 women 665 palpable and also non-palpable cysts, using compound scanner Multiplanar-MS-3. 38 further individual punctures failed despite repeated attempts under visual control of this device which supplies a spatial impression of the target during puncture. Some of the small tumours will evade the advancing needle time and again.