Significance of methylene blue dye for localization biopsy of nonpalpable breast lesions.
OBJECTIVE
With advances in mammographic equipment and techniques, more and more nonpalpable breast lesions have been detected. This study was to investigate the application of methylene blue dye for localized biopsy to diagnose nonpalpable breast lesions.


METHODS
In total 138 patients with suspicious malignant, nonpalpable breast lesions between August 2002 and October 2006 were enrolled. A small dose of methylene blue was injected into the lesion under mammographic guidance. The dyed tissues were excised completely via an optimal incision, and radiographys was obtained to confirm the removal of the nonpalpable lesion. The specimen weight and incision length were measured.


RESULTS
Suspicious lesions in all 138 patients were accurately excised. Eighty-four (60.9%) patients were confirmed as breast cancer, and 54 (39.1) were diagnosed with benign lesions. The mean length of the incision was 4.6 cm (range 3.2-5.3 cm), and the mean weight of the resected specimen was 42 g (range18-86 g). All patients achieved stage I healing.


CONCLUSIONS
Excisional biopsy is recommended for nonpalpable breast lesions which are highly suggestive of malignancy by imaging examination. Methylene blue guided localization and excisional biopsy is a safe, relatively simply procedure with high diagnostic accuracy.
Tang
Jun
J
State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China.
Wang
Xi
X
Wu
Yao-Pan
YP
Wang
Xin
X
Lian
Zhen-Qiang
ZQ
Fu
Jian-Hua
JH
Yang
Ming-Tian
MT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008751:Methylene Blue; D008875:Middle Aged
D008751:Methylene Blue