Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Introduction
You have been referred for a marker clip insertion in the breast. This is performed under mammographic or ultrasound guidance. A tiny (2 mm) metal (titanium) marker is placed at the site of a breast lesion prior to any hormone or chemotherapy treatment. You cannot feel the marker clip in your breast. It is compatible with any future scans (e.g., MRI) and does not set off metal detector alarms.
Before your appointment
If you would like another member of staff to be present, to act as a chaperone, during your examination then please let us know when booking in at the reception desk. If you do not request a chaperone, then we will assume that we have your consent to perform the examination without one.
There is no special preparation needed and you can eat and drink as usual.
Please also let us know if:
- you have limited mobility and will require assistance to get on and off a couch.
- you will need an interpreter. We are not able to use family members or friends to interpret.
To make your appointment run more smoothly, please let us know if any of these apply, in advance, by calling our bookings team (contact details are displayed on the main Radiology page).
On Arrival
Please arrive 10 minutes before your appointment time.
On arrival in the department, you should check in at the reception desk. Bring this letter with you and be prepared to confirm your details with the receptionist. Please allow time to do this prior to your appointment time and bear in mind that the reception may be busy. Once you have been booked in you will be directed to the waiting area. Please be aware that patients are attending for different examinations and patients who arrive after you may be called before you.
All patients (ages 12-55) who will undergo a Radiology procedure will be asked about the possibility of them being pregnant, regardless of gender.
What to wear
It is helpful to wear a separate top, and skirt or trousers. After the procedure, we recommend you wear a non-wired supportive bra.
Giving my consent (permission)
We want to involve you in decisions about your care and treatment. The Radiologist / Advanced Practitioner will ask you if you are happy for the procedure to go ahead - this is called verbal consent. If you do not wish to have the procedure or are undecided, please tell the Radiologist.
It is your decision, and you can change your mind at any time.
The Procedure
The procedure is performed by a Consultant Radiologist or an Advanced Practitioner
(Mammographer), under mammographic or ultrasound guidance. There will be a
Mammographer present.
The area is cleaned before an injection of local anaesthetic is given to numb the area. A small nick is made in the skin and a hollow needle is inserted. A plunger on the end of the needle pushes the marker into the correct area. The needle is removed, and firm pressure applied to the area to reduce bruising.
A Mammogram is then taken to check the position of the marker. The wound is then covered by a dressing.
After the Examination
Gentle pressure is applied to the area followed by a sterile dressing over the skin puncture site. You will be free to resume your daily activities but avoid heavy lifting or exercise for 48 hours to reduce the risk of complications. The marker clip will not move from the area so you can go back to normal activity after this.
Risks
- Discomfort: You may experience some discomfort after the procedure when the local anaesthetic wears off. This is usually mild and can be helped with over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol if required (avoid taking aspirin or ibuprofen for the first 24 hours). You may find it more comfortable to wear a non-wired supportive bra, day and night, for two days.
- Bruising: Bruising is common after this procedure. Bruising may make that part of your breast feel lumpy or may affect a wider area. On rare occasions this can be severe and can take several weeks to resolve.
- Bleeding: Occasionally the biopsy site can start bleeding again after you have left the hospital. If this happens, apply firm pressure over the area for 20 minutes. If the bleeding has not stopped after 20 minutes, please contact us.
- Infection: If you experience redness, swelling or tenderness around the injection site, please see your GP or a walk-in clinic within 24 hours as this may require treatment.
- Radiation: If your procedure is performed under Mammographic guidance, then this uses ionising X-ray radiation. Everyone receives ionising radiation every day from radioactivity in the air, food we eat and the sun. Your age, size and the body part being scanned will influence the amount of medical radiation used and theoretical risks of additional exposure.
The benefit of the scan is making the correct diagnosis or treatment plan and a Radiology specialist has agreed that this benefit outweighs the risks of radiation exposure. The radiographers are trained to obtain the best possible imaging using the lowest amount of radiation possible and the equipment is regularly checked to ensure it is safe and effective.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Radiology service.
About this information
Service:
Radiology
Reference:
PILS-MAMM.7
Approval date:
26 July 2024
Review date:
26 July 2027
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.