A test procedure in which a very fine needle pinpoints a lump or other breast problem, so that the X-ray will be more accurate.

a presurgical procedure performed in the mammography department

An X-ray or ultrasound procedure to place a needle to determine the precise location of a breast abnormality. This aids the surgeon in the removal of the abnormality.

Also called wire localization. A procedure used to guide a surgical breast biopsy when the breast lump is difficult to locate or in areas that look suspicious on the x-ray (mammogram) but do not have a distinct lump. Mammogram or ultrasound images are used to guide the needle to the suspicious area of the breast. The radiologist typically replaces the needle with a wire and sends the patient to the surgeon with only a wire in place. The surgeon then uses the path of the wire as a guide to locate the abnormal area to be removed. Needle localization is usually used when there is no palpable (able to be felt) lump ( i.e., a finding found only or most convincingly on an imaging study such as a mammogram or ultrasound.

a procedure used to guide a surgical breast biopsy when the lump is hard to locate or when there are areas that look suspicious on the x-ray but there is not a distinct lump. A thin needle is placed into the breast. X-rays are taken and used to guide the needle to the suspicious area. The surgeon then uses the path of the needle as a guide to locate the abnormal area to be removed. See also, wire localization.