Radiology, Vol 195, 633-637, Copyright © 1995 by Radiological Society of North America
Impact of stereotaxic core breast biopsy on cost of diagnosis
L Liberman, MC Fahs, DD Dershaw, E Bonaccio, AF Abramson, MA Cohen and LE Hann
Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA.
PURPOSE: To determine the frequency with which stereotaxic core biopsy of
the breast obviated diagnostic surgical biopsy and to estimate the savings
in cost of diagnosis with this procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Stereotaxic core biopsy of 182 nonpalpable, mammographically evident
lesions was performed, and data from clinical follow-up were obtained.
Savings in cost were assessed by using national Medicare reimbursement data
and a relative value system based on national physician reviews (Relative
Values for Physicians [RVP]). RESULTS: Stereotaxic core biopsy replaced a
surgical procedure in 140 of 182 patients. The mean adjusted direct savings
in cost per stereotaxic core biopsy were $893 (Medicare) or $1,491 (RVP).
Use of stereotaxic core biopsy decreased the cost of diagnosis by 52% (RVP)
or 55% (Medicare). CONCLUSION: Stereotaxic core biopsy obviated surgical
biopsy for most nonpalpable lesions sampled, resulting in a greater than
50% reduction in biopsy costs. If these results were generalizable to the
national level, annual savings would approach $200 million.
