[Excisional biopsy with wire localisation of non-palpable breast lesions: indications and limitations]

Preoperative localisation of non-palpable breast lesions is necessary for excisional biopsies. This can be achieved with methods such as anchor wire, charcoal marking, or radio-guided localisation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate retrospectively our experience with the wire localisation technique. One hundred and eighty-two patients with non-palpable breast lesions (diameter: 0.4-1.5 cm) were operated on under local anaesthesia. Intraoperative X-rays were performed in all cases. No serious perioperative complications occurred. Three patients (2 with postoperative haematomas and 1 with wound infection) underwent conservative therapy. The lesions were benign in 67/182 patients (37%), ductal and/or lobular invasive cancer in 42 (23%), carcinoma in situ in 23 patients (12.5%) and ADH-ALH in 50 patients (27.5%). Our experience confirms that wire localisation biopsies constitute an excellent method for the excision of non-palpable breast lesions. This technique is characterised by high reliability (100% total excisions) and assures a prognostic evaluation of high-risk lesions such as ductal an/or lobular atypical hyperplasia.