Needle/Wire Localization

If a breast abnormality (biopsy proven cancer or suspicious area not amenable to needle biopsy) needs to be removed surgically with either lumpectomy or excisional biopsy a needle/wire localization procedure is needed if the abnormality cannot be felt/palpated by the surgeon.

This procedure is performed on the day of the surgery by the radiologist. 

Typically, the patient registers for surgery at the hospital and is then transported to the Breast Center for the localization.  After the breast is cleansed and numbed, using either ultrasound or mammogram imaging for guidance, a needle/wire device is placed through the skin with the wire tip placed adjacent to the abnormality.  This provides a precise "roadmap" for the surgeon to subsequently remove the abnormality.  Mammogram image is usually obtained at the compeltion of teh localization proceudre and then the patient tis transported back to the operating room