Usefulness and limits of ultrasound-guided hook-wire positioning for localisation of soft tissue lesions prior to surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to assess the usefulness of positioning metal wires under ultrasound guidance for localising soft tissue lesions in the preoperative phase.


METHODS
We studied superficial soft-tissue lesions in 12 patients, using hooked mammographic wires of different lengths. One patient had a multifocal growth of disease which required a double localisation procedure. Correct positioning of the wire was confirmed by ultrasonography. All patients underwent surgery within five hours of hook-wire positioning.


RESULTS
Correct wire position was confirmed at surgery in 12 out of 13 procedures. In one case the hook-wire reached the margin of the lesion. In all cases, the preoperative localisation procedure facilitated identification and resection of the masses.


CONCLUSIONS
In our experience, the main indications for hook-wire positioning before surgery are: marking of small lesions, localisation of lesions in anatomic areas structurally subverted by previous surgery and consequently difficult to detect, guidance for surgical sectioning in order safeguard the noble structures close to the lesions.
Tregnaghi
Alberto
A
Sezione di Radiologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Diagnostiche e Terapie Speciali, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova. cleardi@libero.it
Dal Bosco
Chiara
C
Talenti
Enrico
E
Borsato
Simonetta
S
Rossi
Carlo Riccardo
CR
Lumachi
Franco
F
Rubaltelli
Leopoldo
L
D006801:Humans; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018204:Neoplasms, Connective and Soft Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods