Use of preoperative breast ultrasonography for mapping of breast cancer extent improves resection margins during breast conservation surgery.
BACKGROUND
Positive margins after breast conservation surgery occur frequently and negatively influence local control rates.


OBJECTIVE
Preoperative breast ultrasonography reduces the incidence of positive margins during breast conservation surgery.


METHODS
Case-control analysis.


METHODS
One hundred twenty-two consecutive patients with invasive breast cancer were studied. Palpation or needle-wire-guided breast conservation surgery was used in the first 61 patients (group 1). Preoperative breast ultrasonography was added to the protocol in the last 61 patients (group 2).


METHODS
Incidence of positive margins, distance to closest margin.


RESULTS
There was a 3.7-fold reduction in positive margins (P =.04, 95% confidence interval, 1.06-16.73) and improved resection margins (P =.04, 95% confidence interval, 0.14-3.88) when breast ultrasonography was used. Reexcision of margins was done in 11% (7 of 61 patients) in group 1 and 3% (2 of 61 patients) in group 2 (P =.17).


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative breast ultrasonography improves the margins of resection and decreases the incidence of positive margins during breast conservation surgery.
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA. hvargas@ucla.edu
Hernan I
HI
Vargas
Iraj
I
Khalkhali
Katherine D
KD
Gonzalez
Kamal
K
Eldrageely
Melissa
M
Burla
M Perla
MP
Vargas
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary