Percutaneous Mammotomy

Percutaneous Mammotomy is a form of intervention that uses mammography technology to isolate areas in the breast such as microcalcification, that can be suspicious for ductal carcinoma in-situ (DCIS) or invasive ductal carcinoma.  

A mammotomy uses a larger gauge core biopsy performed with vacuum-assistance, performed under mammographic guidance rather than ultrasound guidance. This procedure may be requested by your doctor or upon radiologist recommendation if there is an area within your breast that can be seen on mammography, but has not been detected on ultrasound, that is suspicious for malignancy or a complex benign condition.

The procedure can be performed sitting up or lying on your side, using a specially designed chair that can be adjusted to the most comfortable position.

Once the performing mammographer has you in position, compression is applied similar to a normal mammogram and preliminary images of the breast are taken. Once the performing mammographer and radiologist have targeted the area, local anaesthetic is applied to numb the skin surface.  A deep tissue local anaesthetic is then also used to further numb the area within the breast around the targeted area.

A small incision is made in the skin through which the core needle will be passed using computer-generated 3D coordinates to target the area to be biopsied. Mammography images are taken throughout the procedure to document the area of interest and the specimens obtained.

Following the procedure, our imaging technician will apply pressure to the incision to minimise bruising. A sterile dressing will be applied, and you will be consulted about aftercare.