title: Is specimen mammography beneficial?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Specimen mammography is not beneficial in the management or outcome of patients undergoing image-guided needle-localized breast biopsies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study of consecutive patients who underwent needle/dye-localized breast biopsies between January 1, 1993, and December 31, 1995.
  
  
  METHODS
  National Cancer Institute (Bethesda, Md)-designated comprehensive cancer center.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred sixty-four patients underwent 165 needle/dye-localized breast biopsies for suspicious mammographic abnormalities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In only 3 (1.8%) of 165 patients did the patient clearly benefit from specimen mammography. In no patient was a malignant neoplasm missed. The mean time for the specimen mammogram was 20 minutes, adding an additional 55 hours of operating room time. Specimen mammography cost an additional $60,522 and was incorrect in 41 (24.8%) of 165 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Specimen mammography added little to patient care, as only 3 (1.8%) of 165 patients benefited from the information.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Oncologic Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA.
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Bimston
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Bebb
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Wagman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies