An alternative approach to nonpalpable breast biopsies

Traditionally, when a negative specimen radiograph is obtained during biopsy of a nonpalpable breast lesion, immediate re-excision is performed in an attempt to successfully remove the lesion. Based on a retrospective study of the biopsy results of 792 nonpalpable breast lesions, the authors suggest delaying the re-excision, despite a negative specimen x-ray, until postoperative mammography confirms the persistence of the lesion. Utilization of this approach was associated with a comparably low incidence of missed lesions (3%) and had the added advantages of preserving breast tissue and decreasing operative time.