Migration of guidewire after surgical breast biopsy: an unusual case report

Abstract

Needle localization of breast lesions is commonly performed for surgical guidance when excising nonpalpable lesions. A few reports have specifically addressed complications associated with needle-localized surgical breast biopsy. We present the first reported case of delayed cardiac injury resulting from migration of a guidewire from a needle-localized breast biopsy that occurred 2 years after the procedure. The patient presented with chest pain and cardiac tamponade. It was found that a hook-wire had penetrated the pericardium and left ventricular myocardium through the aortic valve into the ascending aorta. The diagnosis was made by echocardiogram and computed axial tomography scan and subsequent surgical removal was undertaken successfully.