ABSTRACT

Minimally invasive breast biopsies of nonpalpable lesions are used for early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. This report describes a simple method to decrease surgical trauma in wire localization procedures. After wire localization with mammography or ultrasound, the course of the wire in the breast was marked on the skin to guide the surgeon. As a result, fewer tissue samples were taken and smaller hematomas occurred. This method is particularly useful in deep lesions and in large breasts, leading to shortened surgery time and improved cosmetic results. This technique can be used in any wire-guided procedure.

Keywords: breast cancer • stereotactic breast biopsies • needle localization