Magnetic Seed versus skin tattoo localization of non-palpable breast lesions: a single institution cohort study

Abstract Background: The increasing number of diagnosis of non-palpable breast cancers has led to a need of constant improvement of imaging techniques preoperative localization. The current scenario counts different techniques, including: wire localization, radio-guided occult localization (ROLL), non-radioactive radar localization and skin tattoo. The choice of which one to use depends on surgeon’s and radiologist’s different skills. The introduction of magnetic seed localization technique facilitates the theater scheduling in the absence of same day radiology presence. Objective: The objective of this restrospective study was to investigated the accuracy and feasibility of Magseed compared to skin tattoo in the preoperative localization of impalpable breast lesions in terms of accuracy of placement, re-excision and positive margin rates and breast/surgical specimen volume ratio.Methods: From November 2020 to November 2021 we retrospectively analysed 77 patients. Results: 37 magnetic seeds were placed in 36 patients (48.6%) and 40 skin tattoos were performed in the remained cases (51.4%). With both methods, 100% of the index lesions were completely removed and found in the surgical specimen. The re-excision rate reported was 0% for both groups. Magseed was used with greater frequency in patients with small lesions (p=0.017) and medium breasts (B cup 62.2%). A significant difference was also observed in the breast parenchyma removed between Magseed group and skin tattoo (p=0.003), especially in case of small lesions. Conclusions: Magseed placement is a save, nonradioactive localization technique, that improves scheduling efficiency, recommended in case of impalpable, smaller lesions and medium-large breasts.