Mammography directed wire marking of nonpalpable breast lesions. A consecutive biopsy study of 100 patients.

Among 665 patients referred for breast complaints, 100 women (15%) had mammographically detected nonpalpable lesions suspected of malignancy. Using a mammography directed hook wire marking, 115 excisional biopsies were carried out. A correct biopsy containing the lesion was obtained in 113 instances. There were 2 failures, due to displacements of the wire in one case and surgical inexperience in another case. Two patients had minor wound complications. Invasive carcinoma was found in 12 and carcinoma in situ in 4 biopsies, i.e., a cancer rate of 16% of patients and 14% of biopsies. The biopsy procedure was simple, time saving, and acceptable of patients. The excisions were small and the cosmetic results excellent. During mammography for control of wire position, and during dressing and surgical manipulations the flexible hooked wire remained as originally placed in all cases but one.