MR-GUIDED LOCALIZATION OF SUSPECTED BREAST-LESIONS DETECTED EXCLUSIVELY BY POSTCONTRAST MRI

Objective: We describe and evaluate a preoperative MRI localization procedure for suspected breast lesions. Materials and Methods: Fourteen consecutive patients underwent MR localization of suspected breast lesions discovered with contrast-enhanced MRI but not detected by conventional mammography or ultrasound. In each case diagnostic MRI was repeated after the application of special skin markers. A nonmagnetic wire was subsequently inserted into the breast and a second MRI performed to document the position of the wire tip relative to the lesion. Results: The procedure was successful in all 14 patients, enabling excision of the lesion and allowing histological diagnoses. Conclusion: We found the described procedure to be quite useful.