Radioguided Localization of Nonpalpable Breast Cancer Lesions: Randomized Comparison With Wire Localization in Patients Undergoing Conservative Surgery and Sentinel Node Biopsy

OBJECTIVE. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether radioguided occult lesion localization and routine wire localization differ in respect to the effectiveness of complete excision of nonpalpable breast cancer lesions.SUBJECTS AND METHODS. This prospective randomized study included patients with breast cancer scheduled for conservative tumor excision and sentinel node biopsy. Patients were randomized to either radioguided localization or wire localization. Comparative radiologic, surgical, and pathologic data were collected and analyzed to establish the duration, ease of use, and accuracy of the two techniques for occult lesion localization. The effectiveness of sentinel node biopsy also was assessed. One radiologist and two surgeons participated in the study.RESULTS. Among 134 patients, 68 were treated with wire localization and 66 with radioguided localization. The mean duration of radiologic localization was significantly shorter for radioguided localization (p < 0.001). No statistical di...