Ectopic breast localization wire in the pleural cavity: A case report

Ultrasound is an easily accessible and cost-effective imaging method that is not associated with radiation exposure. Ultrasound-guided wire localization is a reliable method for resecting non-palpable breast lesions. Preoperative ultrasound-guided wire localization has the advantage of a shorter operative time, and the breast lesions may be accurately excised with less tissue injury. We herein report an unusual case of an ectopic breast localization wire in the pleural cavity in a 47-year-old female patient with a history of right-sided breast cancer, who received left segmental mastectomy due to a newly identified left-sided breast lesion. The wire was identified with intraoperative X-ray and computed tomography imaging and was successfully removed under thoracoscopic guidance. The patient recovered uneventfully. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on localization wire-related complications in the English literature.