PRECISE MR-GUIDED PREOPERATIVE MARKING OF BREAST-LESIONS WITH AN EMBOLIZATION COIL

Purpose: To develop and test a new technique for MR-guided localisatio n of breast lesions. Materials and methods: The examinations were perf ormed on a 1.01 imager in prone position, using a sagittally oriented oval spine coil. The localization device consisted of a perforated lat eral plate which can be angulated. The plate contained an ''M'' shaped tube filled with oil. This enabled exact localization of the lesion i n relation to the bore holes on the MR images. After needle placement through a sterile bushing, the 5 mm marking coil was placed through th e needle adjacent to the lesion. Then a suspension of charcoal, Cd-DTP A, and water was injected. Suspicious lesions that could be visualised only by MR were localised preoperatively and marked in 6 patients. Re sults: The lesion size ranged from 0.5 to 3.5 cm (median 1.2 cm). Thre e benign lesions (intraductal hyperplasia twice, radial scar once) and three malignant lesions (ductal invasive cancer twice, DCIS once) wer e found. Angulation of the plate was beneficial in three cases. Conclu sion: With the new marking technique, exact MR-guided localization of breast lesions using an add-on device is feasible. Construction of an additional MR coil is not necessary. Excision of the lesion is proven by the concomitant excision of the marking coil.