Abstract
We have been performing stereotactic mammotome biopsy by the upright method. However, we have only one mammographic unit. Therefore, it cannot be confirmed whether calcification is included in the specimen at the time of biopsy. Therefore we devised a support tool to confirm the specimen location using the mammographic unit. This support tool uses the radiation aperture of the mammographic unit and the space of the breast. It also has a hand-made lead shield (rectangular tube) to shield the patient from X-ray leakage. The results obtained using this support tool are similar to those obtained by enlarging radiography with soft X-ray. In addition, the support tool is economical because it can be used in an existing environment, and enables confirmation that the calcification is included in the specimen. No X-ray leakage from the support tool was detectable, suggesting that the patient was not exposed to radiation. In addition, it was found that the type of FCR reading device was not influenced by the presence of the calcification in the specimen. Therefore, it is thought that combination of a general FCR reading device with the support tool is feasible, and that the tool can become an efficient modality if it can be configured to the type of examination employed. However, as the tool needs to be detached in front of the patient, it seems necessary to limit its use in order to minimize the burden on the patient.
