Radiocolloid in combination with methylene dye localization, rather than wire localization, is a preferred procedure for excisional biopsy of nonpalpable breast lesions.

BACKGROUND

Wire localization (WL) is traditionally performed before excisional biopsy for patients with nonpalpable breast lesions, but it has several disadvantages. Our current study examines whether the method of radiocolloid combined with methylene dye localization (RCML) has an advantage over WL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From August 2006 to May 2009, 157 patients with nonpalpable breast lesions classified as BI-RADS category 5 were enrolled in our study. Of the 157 patients, 78 were assigned to WL and 79 to RCML. The status of surgical margins, weight of specimens, length of incisions, and duration of operation were compared between these two groups.

RESULTS

All patients were diagnosed after first excisional biopsy. The patients with malignancy accounted for 55.1% in WL group, and 53.2% in RCML group. For malignant lesions, fewer patients undergoing RCML had close or involved surgical margins than did those who had WL (19.0% vs. 39.5%, P = .038). The mean weight of specimen was 45.2 g in WL group and 39.0 g in RCML group (P < .001). The mean length of incision was 44.8 mm in WL group and 36.3 mm in RCML group (P < .001). The mean time of operation was 16.3 min for WL and 14.7 min for RCML (P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

RCML provides precise identification of the site of the nonpalpable lesion and a visible marker to the lesion for surgeons and allows rapid, easy, and accurate excision of nonpalpable breast lesions. Therefore, RCML is a promising alternative to WL.