The biopsy of impalpable lesions of the breast

It is not necessary to undertake special techniques for localization if impalpable lesions of the breast are noted on mammography before biopsy. A simple technique using measurements from the nipple to locate the lesion is described. This method reduces patient discomfort by eliminating preoperative manipulation without increasing the size of the specimen needed for biopsy of the breast. Any impalpable lesion excised must be submitted to serial section after paraffin embedding and must not be submitted to frozen section.