A survey of interventional mammography practices

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Breast Imaging

Background:

• Interventional mammography procedures are crucial for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
• Understanding current practices among radiologists is essential for quality improvement and training.
• Variations in technique and consent procedures may impact patient care and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current landscape of interventional mammography in the United States.
• To identify the prevalence of specific techniques, including needle localization and biopsy methods.
• To evaluate the consistency of informed consent practices among practicing radiologists.

Main Methods:

• Surveys were distributed to active members of the American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging.
• Data collected included the performance of preoperative needle localization, wire types, anesthetic use, and biopsy techniques (fine-needle aspiration cytology vs. core-needle biopsy).
• The study also assessed the utilization of cyst aspiration, galactography, and pneumocystography, alongside informed consent procedures.

Main Results:

• Preoperative needle localization was widely performed (>90%) by both groups, with hook wires being the most common method.
• Significant differences were observed in the performance of fine-needle aspiration cytology and core-needle biopsy between the two surveyed groups.
• A minority of radiologists in both groups reported obtaining informed consent for most interventional mammography procedures.

Conclusions:

• Practices in interventional mammography, particularly regarding biopsy techniques and informed consent, show considerable variability among US radiologists.
• The findings highlight potential areas for standardization and education to enhance patient safety and procedural consistency.
• Further research may be warranted to explore the reasons behind these variations and their clinical implications.