PROTOTYPE BREAST COIL FOR MR-GUIDED NEEDLE LOCALIZATION

Objective: Evaluation of breast lesions detected by MR alone is a prob lem: Preoperative MR-guided localization is difficult, since the breas t is not accessible by a needle within the breast coil. Magnetic reson ance-guided core biopsy and needle aspiration are impossible. Together with Siemens Erlangen, a prototype localization breast coil has been developed and tested. Materials and Methods: The device consists of a circular polarized coil, which contains two plates for mediolateral br east compression. They are perforated with numerous holes and thus all ow access to the breast from both sides. By means of bushings, which f it into the heres, sterile needle insertion in a horizontal path is po ssible. Results: So far, precise needle insertion has been possible in 10 of 11 lesions, allowing exact needle insertion into 5 invasive car cinomas (1 MR-detected), 1 MR-detected additional focus, 2 in situ car cinomas (1 MR-detected), and 3 benign lesions. Conclusion: Our studies show that MR-guided needle localization is possible.