Simple method of orientating breast biopsies following hook-wire or ultrasonographic localization of impalpable mammographic abnormalities

Abstract

Abstract Localization of impalpable breast lesions with fine wires is standard practice and several variations of the hook-wire device have been described1. More recently ultra-sonography2 has been used as an accurate and rapid method of preoperative localization of mass lesions. Accurate biopsy of all clinically impalpable suspicious mammographic abnormalities is essential and complete excision is important in those patients with malignant disease3. Having performed a localization biopsy, precise specimen orientation allows further excision if original margins are involved. A simple and inexpensive method of orientating tissue specimens following excision biopsy is described.