Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag localisation of non-palpable breast lesions a single centre experience

Aim: The purpose of this study is to report the surgical experience and outcomes with pre-operative localisation of non-palpable breast lesions using the RFID tag system.Methods: The cohort for this prospective study included patients over the age of 18 with biopsy proven, non -palpable indeterminate lesions, DCIS or breast cancer requiring pre-operative localisation before surgical exci-sion between September 2020 and July 2022.Results: A total of 312 RFID tags were placed in 299 consecutive patients. Indications for localisation included non-palpable invasive cancer in 255 (85.3%) patients, in situ disease in 38 (12.7%) and indeterminate lesions requiring surgical excision in 6 (2.0%). Both in situ and invasive lesions had a median size of 13 mm (range 4-100 mm) on pre-operative imaging. The RFID tags were in situ for a median time of 21 days before surgery (range 0-233 days). Of the 213 tags, 292 (93.6%) were introduced using ultrasound (USS) guidance and ster-eotactically in 20 (6.4%). In 3 (1.0%) cases the RFID tag was either not satisfactorily deployed at the intended target or retrieved intra-operatively. Following discussion of post-operative histology by the multi-disciplinary team, further surgery for close or involved margins was for 26 (8.7%) patients.Conclusion: The Hologic RFID tag system can be used for accurate pre-operative localisation of non-palpable masses as well as diffuse abnormalities such as mammographic distortions and calcifications. It has advan-tages of flexibility for scheduling image-guided insertion independently of scheduled operating lists and can be placed to localise lesions prior to initiating neoadjuvant systemic treatment.

Automated summary

This study aimed to report the surgical experience and outcomes of pre-operative localisation of non-palpable breast lesions using the RFID tag system. The results showed that the RFID tag system has been effective in accurately locating breast lesions in recent years.