The Efficacy of Specimen Radiography in Clinically Occult Breast Lesions

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of specimen radiography for clinically occult breast lesions.Patients and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated specimen radiographs of 215 patients (mean age 48.64±8.4 years; range 28 to 75 years) whose lesions were detected by mammography and/or ultrasonography and localized by wire. Preoperative wire localization was performed under the guidance of ultrasonography in 59 cases (27.4%) and stereotactically in 156 cases (72.6%). The findings of specimen radiography were compared with those of histopathologic examination.Results: Specimen radiographs showed lesions in all but three cases. In these three cases, no breast lesions were found in control mammographies.Conclusion: Breast biopsy specimen radiography is a safe method to ensure complete excision of clinically occult breast lesions.