Implementation of Preoperative Magnetic Seed Localization for Breast and Axillary Lesions: An Alternative to Wires and Radioactive Seeds

Since the 1970s, preoperative localizations for breast lesions and axillary lymph nodes have been achieved by the placement of a wire through the area of concern. Other techniques have recently been developed. The focus of this article is on a novel preoperative technique, the magnetic seed localization. A magnetic seed is placed into the lesion or lymph node under mammographic or sonographic guidance. The advantages and disadvantages are discussed in the article.