If you have an abnormality in your breast that cannot be easily felt, but requires surgical removal, a hookwire can be used as a marker for the surgeon. A hookwire gives the surgeon an accurate location of the lump prior to surgery.

There is no preparation required for the hookwire localisation. 

You should bring any previous imaging scans and reports with you so these can be reviewed by our radiologist before your procedure.

The radiologist will choose the method of imaging guidance for the localisation (i.e. mammography, ultrasound or MRI), usually depending on which type of imaging originally found the abnormality, and which type of imaging shows the area most clearly. 

Mammographic imaging guidance 

A mammogram will be carried out with the breast placed between two plates and compressed, and the radiologist will find the abnormality. The breast remains compressed for the duration of the procedure. The breast is washed with antiseptic and the radiologist will place a very fine needle into the breast with local anaesthetic to numb the area where the hookwire is to be inserted. 

The radiologist will then insert a fine needle into the breast tissue that is to be removed. Mammographic images are taken to check the needle is in the correct position and the needle is adjusted as required. Once the needle is in the correct position, a fine wire is passed down the centre of the needle and the needle is removed, leaving the wire in place. A final mammogram is carried out to show the surgeon where the tip of the wire lies in relation to the abnormality that is to be removed. 

Ultrasound imaging guidance 

The radiologist will find the abnormality using images taken with an ultrasound probe.The breast is washed with antiseptic, and the radiologist will place a very fine needle into the breast with local anaesthetic to numb the area where the hookwire is to be inserted. 

The radiologist will then insert a fine needle into the tissue that is to be removed. The position of the needle is checked using the ultrasound images. Once the needle is in the correct position, a fine wire is passed down the centre of the needle and the needle is removed, leaving the wire in place. A final mammogram is carried out to show the surgeon where the tip of the wire lies in relation to the abnormality that is to be removed. 

MRI scan guidance 

An intravenous line will be inserted, usually into a vein in the arm or back of the hand or wrist. You will then be positioned on a bed that moves in and out of the MRI scanner. The breast will be lightly compressed from the side by a small plastic plate. An injection of dye or contrast medium will usually be given into the intravenous line to highlight and provide a clearer picture of the breast area on the MRI images. A set of MRI scans will be carried out. 

The breast is washed with antiseptic, and the radiologist will place a very fine needle into the breast with local anaesthetic to numb the area where the hookwire is to be inserted. The radiologist will then insert a plastic needle into the abnormal tissue. Once the needle is in the correct position, a fine wire is passed down the centre of the needle and the needle is removed, leaving the wire in place. The MRI scanner produces pictures to show the surgeon where the tip of the wire lies in relation to the abnormality that is to be removed.

Whichever method is used for guidance of the hookwire placement, a piece of the fine wire is left sticking out from the breast. After the procedure, this piece of wire is taped down to the skin, and the hookwire remains in the abnormality in the breast. The surgeon will remove the wire together with the abnormality at the time of the operation. Your previous imaging and the images from the breast hookwire localisation will be sent with you to the operating theatre, so that the surgeon can refer to them during the surgery.

As the hookwire will be removed at the time of the operation, there are no after effects of the procedure itself.

Mammographic and ultrasound-guided hookwire localisations take approximately 30 minutes. An MRI-guided procedure requires approximately 45 minutes.

Hookwire localisation is a simple procedure and most women have no problems. Some problems that can occur are:

• Some women may be allergic to local anaesthetic, although this is rare.
• There are some general risks with having MRI that you need to be aware of, including having metal or devices in or on your body that may not function properly in the strong magnetic field (e.g. a pacemaker).
• Rarely, there can be an allergic reaction to the MRI contrast injection that you will need before the localisation.
• Fragments of wire are occasionally left in the breast after surgery (as the result of accidental clipping or fragmentation of the wire). These rarely cause harm, as they are made from the same material as surgical clips used routinely in many operations and seldom require removal.
• Wire dislodgement. This usually occurs because the breast is composed of fatty tissue that provides a poor grip for the hookwire. While the most usual cause of dislodgement is the nature of the breast tissue, if you are travelling to another facility for your surgery with a hookwire in position, you need to take care; that is, do not carry luggage or take public transport. Dislodgement might occasionally occur with very little movement. If dislodgement occurs, you may need to have the procedure carried out again, because the tip of the wire will no longer be situated in the tissue that needs to be removed.

Hookwire localisation assists a surgeon in the removal of breast abnormalities that cannot be felt. It marks where the abnormal tissue is located and enables the surgeon to remove even the smallest amount of abnormal tissue identified on mammograms, ultrasound or MRI scans. As only the abnormal tissue is removed (with a margin of clear tissue around it), scarring can be minimised and the shape of the breast can be preserved as far as possible. This also reduces the time taken for the operation to be completed, which is important when you are having a general anaesthetic.

Your doctor will receive a written report on your test as soon as is practicable.

It is very important that you discuss the results with the doctor who referred you so they can explain what the results mean for you.

Most results are normal. Occasionally, small changes are seen that need further review. 

If your results are normal you will be able to return for routine screening (usually every 2 years). If  your results are uncertain or show changes you may need to consider additional imaging (ultrasound, or biopsy) in discussion with your referring doctor.