The time required to perform needle localization with full-field digital (FFD) mammography was compared with the time required to perform it with screen-film (SF) mammography in 158 women with breast lesions. The time needed to position the patient before the first image was acquired, needle placement time, and total procedure time were compared between techniques. Regression modeling was performed to assess the effect of mammographic guidance method while simultaneously adjusting for other significant covariates. By using the backward selection technique, statistically nonsignificant variables were removed one at a time to produce a final model for which all statistically significant effects were defined as those with P <.10. Total procedure time for all lesions was shorter with FFD than with SF mammography. The time needed to position the patient and needle placement time were also significantly shorter with FFD than with SF mammography. Procedure time for needle localization of breast lesions is significantly shorter with FFD than with SF mammographic guidance.
Copyright RSNA, 2004