Hookwire Localised Excisional Biopsy

What is a Hookwire Localised Excisional Biopsy?

Occasionally, routine mammograms may identify abnormalities that display atypical cells on the biopsy results. In some instances, a surgical (open/excisional biopsy) is recommended to ensure that there is no other, more serious pathology present. As most of these abnormalities will be unable to be felt, they require localisation on the day of surgery with a hookwire. This is a thin wire that gets inserted into the breast (under guidance of breast imaging) by a radiologist in the radiology department. Dr Bell will use this wire during the operation to guide the excision of the abnormal breast tissue.

The removed breast tissue will be sent for imaging (specimen Xray) to ensure the abnormality is contained within it. Subsequently, the specimen will go to the pathology lab for a final result.