Intraductal injection of the breast: a potential pitfall of radioisotope occult lesion localization

The use of radioisotope for the localization of occult breast lesions (ROLL) has been advocated in preference to wire guided excision as it allows reduced excision volume and better lesion centering. However, as this technique is new, potential complications are unknown. In 2 out of 38 ROLL procedures performed at our institution, intraductal injection of isotope has occurred. This was diagnosed on check mammography as non-ionic iodinated contrast was mixed with the isotope. In one of these cases conversion to wire localization was required.