Comparison of anatomopathological aspects between ROLL and Carbon localization

Abstract

Objective: Several methods are described for the preoperatively localization of clinically occult breast lesions that need to be defined histologically. The ROLL technique (radioguided occult lesion localization) uses radiotracer injection in hidden lesion and intraoperative localization with a gamma probe. The carbon marking is the injection of activated carbon in the lesion and visual localization. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages. The objective was to compare the efficacy of carbon marking and ROLL for locating non-palpable lesions by pathological aspects, considering the following variables: weight and volume of surgical specimens and morphological changes as the inflammatory response. Methods: 84 cases were assessed by a retrospective review of pathology reports and their histological H/E stained slides, 42 cases with ROLL and 42 with carbon marking. The variables described above were compared with Fisher exact test and Mann-Whitney test, assuming significance level of 5 %. Results: Weight and volume of surgical specimens were significantly lower with carbon marking (p=0.002 for weight and p<0.001 for volume). In relation of the inflammatory reaction, the presence of acute or chronic inflammatory reaction was observed in all cases of the carbon group, while in only one case of the ROLL group was demonstrated lymphocytic infiltration. Conclusion: The carbon marking is effective marker for locating nonpalpable breast lesions. In comparison with ROLL, allowed obtaining surgical specimens of lower weight and volume, but is associated with the presence of inflammatory reaction.