Specimen radiology of excised breast lesions

The value of specimen radiology in the surgical management of palpable breast lesions was assessed in 100 consecutive patients undergoing excision of a palpable breast lump. Only 41 per cent of palpable breast lesions were demonstrable as a radiological abnormality on the excised specimen. The greatest sensitivity was found for lesions which proved to be malignant. Only 27 of 88 benign palpable breast lesions were radiologically visible in the specimen. Surprisingly, only 8 of 13 fibroadenomas were identified as discrete opacities. No residual breast lump was detected on clinical examination in patients reviewed postoperatively, including those patients who had a demonstrable preoperative mammographic abnormality and a negative specimen radiograph. We conclude that specimen radiology does not contribute to the surgical management of palpable breast lesions.