SCOUT® radar reflectors for impalpable lesion localisation in the breast and axilla: our experience in the first 500 patients

Aim

This study aimed to detail our experience of using SCOUT® radar reflector for lesion localisation in the breast and axilla.

Materials and methods

This is a prospective cohort study describing our clinical experience with the first 500 patients who received SCOUT® to localise lesions in the breast and axilla (from 23 July 2020 to 4 April 2022). Study measures include patient demographics, lesion location, diagnostic pathways (screening or symptomatic), imaging, and surgical and pathology outcomes.

Results

Of the 500 patients, most patients (n = 424; 84.8%) had a single device inserted. A total of 361 had SCOUT® inserted under ultrasound guidance, 128 under stereotactic guidance, and 11 under dual mammographic and ultrasonographic guidance. We successfully inserted SCOUT® in 33 patients for lymph node identification for potential targeted axillary dissection. The mean time between SCOUT® insertion and the planned surgical procedure was 40.6 days.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that SCOUT® is a promising preoperative localisation device for nonpalpable breast and axillary lesions. Its implementation has the potential to optimise the clinical workflow by eliminating the need for a separate localisation procedure using conventional localisation markers and streamlining the treatment pathway.