Comparison of Two Wireless Localization Technologies for Removal of Non-palpable Breast Lesions: SCOUT^® Radar...

The SCOUT^® radar reflector (SCOUT) is a common wireless technology used for removal of non-palpable breast lesions. The Pintuition^® magnetic seed (Pintuition) utilizes a magnetic marker encapsulated in nickel-free titanium. This is the first study comparing surgical outcomes of SCOUT and Pintuition.

A retrospective, single-institution review was conducted evaluating lumpectomies and excisional biopsies of non-palpable breast lesions performed between May 2022 and July 2024 utilizing wireless localization for intraoperative guidance. The SCOUT was the only wireless option at our institution prior to June 2023, at which time the Pintuition seed became available. Patients with multiple localizations or oncoplastic reconstruction were excluded. Patient characteristics, procedure type, lesion characteristics, positive margin, and re-excision rates were compared using the Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables and Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables. Generalized linear models were used to compare surgery length and specimen volume.

Of 90 lesions identified, 45 were localized by SCOUT and 45 by Pintuition. Age, body mass index (BMI), surgery type, neoadjuvant therapy, total specimen volume, pathologic cancer size, positive margin, and margin re-excision rates were not found to differ by device. All Pintuition seeds were removed on index operation, whereas one SCOUT was not. Surgery length was significantly shorter for Pintuition cases compared with SCOUT (median 37 min vs. 50 min; p = 0.006). One patient in each group required margin re-excision.

Operative time was significantly shorter for Pintuition cases. Pintuition represents a reliable and effective wireless localization technique. Considerations need to be given to nuanced features of each device.