Gross handling of impalpable breast lesion specimens.

The growing use of mammography has resulted in increasing numbers of impalpable breast lesion specimens requiring histopathological assessment. The examination of such specimens may be very time-consuming as multiple levels of many tissue blocks may need to be studied. Two grid localization methods are compared with a serial slicing method in an attempt to determine an efficient manner of identifying the impalpable lesion, and thus minimizing unnecessary processing. The serial slicing technique gives excellent radiological-pathological correlation, but is probably too complex for routine use. A simple cardboard and metal staple device gives very good localization, and is quick, easy, and cheap to use.