ULTRASONOGRAPHICALLY GUIDED WIRE LOCALIZATION OF NONPALPABLE BREAST-LESIONS

The results of 102 preoperative ultrasonographically guided wire local izations of nonpalpable breast lesions were reviewed. Ultrasonography was used because of nonvisualization during mammography (16 cases), a difficult location of the lesion (3 cases), vasovagal syncope during m ammographic guidance (two cases), or the radiologist's preference (81 cases). All localizations were successful. Removal was confirmed by sp ecimen mammography or ultrasonography or both in 85 cases and by macro scopic examination in 10 cases. In seven cases specimen radiography wa s not performed. One syncope and one wire insertion into the pectorali s fascia occurred. Ultrasonographically guided wire localization is ac curate and well tolerated in aiding surgical biopsy of breast lesions.