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    Hookwire Localisation Services
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    Hookwire Localisation

    A hookwire is used when a very small lesion in the breast is detected on a mammogram or ultrasound, and it requires surgical removal. As the lesion usually cannot be felt clinically (on physical examination by a doctor), it needs to be marked to enable the surgeon to locate and remove it during the operation.

    Method
    • A fine stainless steel wire is placed into the breast tissue to mark the lesion for the surgeon to remove.
    • The hookwire procedure at Breast Imaging is performed either under mammographic (stereotactic) or ultrasound control in order to place the wire immediately adjacent to the abnormality.
    • This procedure is usually performed a few hours prior to surgery.
    • Following the removal of the abnormality the breast tissue is x-rayed to confirm the abnormality was removed at the time of surgery. These x-rays are compared with the original mammogram and/or ultrasound images.
    • The tissue specimen is sent to the pathologists for detailed pathology analysis.
    Time
    A hookwire procedure takes approximately 1 hour.


    Site Contents © Copyright 2002 Breast ImagingLast Updated 27 March 2002