Stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (Mammotome biopsy) for non-palpable microcalcification on mammography

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the benefits of stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy in patients with non-palpable microcalcification detected on mammography. METHODS: Between October 2001 and November 2003, stereotactic Mammotome biopsies were performed for 150 microcalcified lesions on mammography using the prone-type stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy system (Mammotest and Mammovision, Fischer, Denver, USA) . The mammography findings were classified according to the guidelines of The Japan Radiological Society/The Japan Association of Radiological Technologists. Ninety-eight cases were category 3, 38 were category 4, and 14 were category 5. RESULTS: All cases were determined to be cases of microcalcification by specimen radiography or histology. Complications were negligible. One hundred twenty of the cases were mastopathy, and 30 of them were breast cancer (14 were ductal carcinoma in situ, 7 were ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion, and 9 were invasive ductal carcinoma). Twenty-seven breast cancers were diagnosed as category 4 or 5 (51.9%) on mammography. The operative stages of 27 cases were as follows: 7 were stage 0, 17 were stage 1, and 3 were stage 2A. Twenty-four of 27 (88.9%) were early breast cancers. CONCLUSION: Mammotome biopsy is a safe and useful modality for the histological diagnosis of non-palpable microcalcifications.     

Proliferative high-risk lesions of the breast: contribution and limits of US-guided core biopsy

PURPOSE: To retrospectively correlate high-risk proliferative breast lesions (radial scar, atypical lobular hyperplasia, lobular carcinoma in situ and papillary lesions) diagnosed on core biopsy with the definitive histopathological diagnosis obtained after surgical excision or with the follow-up, in order to assess the role of core biopsy in such lesions. To discuss the management of the patient after a core biopsy diagnosis of high-risk proliferative breast lesion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated 74 out of 1776 core biopsies consecutively performed on 67 patients. The histopathologic findings were as follows: 11 radial scars (RS), 3 atypical lobular hyperplasias (ALH), 3 lobular carcinomas in situ (LCIS), 57 benign papillary lesions. All patients underwent bilateral mammography, whole-breast ultrasound with a linear-array broadband transducer, and core biopsy with a 14 Gauge needle and a mean number of samples of 5 (range 4-7). Sixty-two of 67 patients, for a total of 69/74 lesions, underwent surgical biopsy despite benign histopathologic findings, mostly because of highly suspicious imaging for malignancy (BIRADS 4-5), whereas 5 patients refused surgery and have been followed up for a least 18 months and are still being followed up (2 with RS, 1 with ADH and 2 with papillary lesions). RESULTS: Among the core biopsied lesions with a diagnosis of RS (n = 11) pathology revealed one ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (this case was characterized by granular microcalcifications on mammography and by a mass with irregular margins on ultrasound). Also in the group of ADH (n = 3) pathology revealed one DCIS (lesion not visible on mammography but depicted as a suspicious mass on US). In the group of LCIS (n = 3) pathologists found an invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). Among the benign papillary lesions (n = 57) histopathologic analysis of the surgical specimen revealed 7 malignant lesions (4 papillary carcinomas and 3 DCIS), whose mammographic and ultrasound findings were indistinguishable from benign lesions. Altogether there were 10 false negative results (underestimation) out of 74 core biopsies with a diagnosis of high-risk proliferative breast lesions. CONCLUSION: The high rate of histological underestimation after core biopsy (10/74) (13.5%) demands a very careful management of patents with a core biopsy diagnosis of high-risk proliferative breast lesions, especially in the case of RS, lobular neoplasia and papillary lesions. However, the high imaging suspicion for malignancy prompts surgery. It is possible to assume that, when there is a low imaging suspicion for malignancy, when enough tissue has been sampled for pathology and no atypia is found within the lesions, surgery is not mandatory but a very careful follow-up is recommended. We must underline that there is no agreement regarding the quantity of tissue to sample. Vacuum-assisted biopsy may lead to better results, although there is as yet no proof that it can actually replace surgery in this group of lesions, since it seems only to reduce but not abolish the histological underestimation.     

Underestimation of the presence of breast carcinoma in papillary lesions initially diagnosed at core-needle biopsy

PURPOSE: To retrospectively determine the degree of underestimation of breast carcinoma diagnosis in papillary lesions initially diagnosed at core-needle biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval and waiver of informed consent were obtained for this HIPAA-compliant study. Mammographic database review (1994-2003) revealed core biopsy diagnoses of benign papilloma (n=38), atypical papilloma (n=15), sclerotic papilloma (n=6), and micropapilloma (n=4) in 57 women (mean age, 57 years). Excisional or mammographic follow-up (>or=2 years) findings were available. Patients with in situ or invasive cancer in the same breast or patients without follow-up were excluded. Findings were collected from mammography, ultrasonography, core technique, core biopsy, excision, and subsequent mammography. Reference standard was excisional findings or follow-up mammogram with no change at 2 years. Associations were examined with regression methods. RESULTS: In 38 of 63 lesions, surgical excision was performed; in 25 additional lesions (considered benign), follow-up mammography (24-month minimum) was performed, with no interval change. In 15 lesions, 14-gauge core needle was used; in 48, vacuum assistance (mean cores per lesion, 8.7). Carcinoma was found at excision in 14 of 38 lesions. Core pathologic findings associated with malignancy were benign papilloma (n=1), sclerotic papilloma (n=1), micropapilloma (n=2), and atypical papilloma (n=10). Frequency of malignancy was one (3%) of 38 benign papillomas, 10 (67%) of 15 atypical papillomas, two (50%) of four micropapillomas, and one (17%) of six sclerotic papillomas. Excisional findings included lobular carcinoma in situ (n=2), ductal carcinoma in situ (n=7), papillary carcinoma (n=2), and invasive ductal carcinoma (n=3). Low-risk group (micropapillomas and sclerotic and benign papillomas) was compared with high-risk atypical papilloma group. Core findings were associated with malignancy at excision for atypical papilloma (P=.006). Lesion location, mammographic finding, core number, or needle type were not associated (P>.05) with underestimation of malignancy at excision. CONCLUSION: Benign papilloma diagnosed at core biopsy is infrequently (3%) associated with malignancy; mammographic follow-up is reasonable. Because of the high association with malignancy (67%), diagnosis of atypical papilloma at core biopsy should prompt excision for definitive diagnosis.     

立体定位穿刺活检诊断乳腺灶性病变的临床价值（附52例分析）

目的：评价乳腺立体定位穿刺活检对乳腺局灶性病变的诊断价值。方法：应用意大利IMS公司生产的钼靶乳腺机及配套的立体定位穿刺活检装置及日本富士公司生产的计算机X线影像处理系统对3200例病人行双乳轴、侧斜位数字化乳腺摄片检查,对检出的可疑病灶行立体定位穿刺活检,并与手术后病理检查结果对照。结果：对检出的52例乳腺局灶性病变行立体定位穿刺活检,检出乳腺癌33例（63．46％）,其中原位癌9例,良性病变19例（36．54％）。结论：乳腺立体定位穿刺活检是目前诊断早期乳腺癌的有效方法。     

Value of mammography and breast ultrasound in male patients with nipple discharge

Objective

To assess the contribution of mammography and ultrasound in men with nipple discharge.

Materials and methods

All men with nipple discharge who underwent mammography and/or ultrasound between 1993 and 2011 in our hospital were retrospectively evaluated. Radiological findings were classified according to BI-RADS lexicon. The final diagnosis was made based on histopathological results or clinical–radiological follow-up. The diagnostic performance of physical examination, mammography and ultrasound was calculated and compared.

Results

26 men with 21 mammograms and 19 ultrasounds were reviewed. The final diagnoses were: 6 carcinomas (23.1%), 10 gynaecomastias, 2 pseudogynaecomastias and 8 normal breast tissues. Mammograms and ultrasounds performed on all five patients with infiltrating carcinoma showed a mass (categories 4 and 5). In all these patients except one, a breast mass was also noted and the physical examination was positive or suspected malignancy. In the patient with carcinoma in situ, the only conspicuous clinical sign was bloody nipple discharge and the mammography showed calcifications (category 4) that were not visible on ultrasound. Radiological findings of all patients without malignancy were classified as categories 1 and 2. The diagnostic performance of physical examination was lower than mammography and ultrasound (P > 0.05). Mammography was more sensitive than ultrasound (100% vs. 83.3%). Both techniques showed the same specificity (100%).

Conclusions

Men with nipple discharge have a high incidence of breast carcinoma. Nipple discharge may be the only clinical sign of carcinoma in situ. Mammography and ultrasound are useful in the evaluation of men with nipple discharge, diagnosing carcinoma in initial stages, avoiding unnecessary biopsies.     

MR imaging-guided 9-gauge vacuum-assisted core-needle breast biopsy: initial experience

PURPOSE: To perform magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-compatible vacuum-assisted 9-gauge core-needle biopsy of suspicious enhancing breast lesions identified at MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The institutional review board granted exempt status for this HIPAA-compliant study and waived the requirement for informed consent. The MR imaging-guided 9-gauge vacuum-assisted core-needle biopsy findings of 85 lesions in 75 patients aged 31-89 years were retrospectively reviewed. The biopsies were performed as part of the patients' clinical care with a Food and Drug Administration-approved biopsy system and not within a research protocol. All included patients had received a diagnosis of malignant, benign, or high-risk (for cancer) breast tissue at core-needle biopsy and had undergone subsequent surgery or follow-up imaging. MR imaging-guided biopsy results were compared with final histopathologic or follow-up imaging findings. RESULTS: At MR imaging-guided core-needle biopsy, malignancy was identified in 52 (61%) lesions: 35 invasive cancers and 17 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) lesions. Four (24%) of the 17 DCIS lesions were upgraded to invasive cancer at excisional biopsy or mastectomy. A high-risk lesion (ie, atypical ductal hyperplasia, atypical lobular hyperplasia, lobular carcinoma in situ, or radial scar) was identified in 18 (21%) cases. Two (25%) of eight atypical ductal hyperplasia lesions were upgraded to DCIS at excision. No malignancy was found in the atypical lobular hyperplasia (n = 2), lobular carcinoma in situ (n = 5), or radial scar (n = 3) lesions. Fifteen (18%) lesions were found to be benign lesions of unknown type at excision or mastectomy. For 13 of these 15 lesions, the benign results were concordant with the imaging findings. Both (two of 86, 2%) discordant cases represented false-negative lesions. The remaining 13 benign lesions were validated at excisional biopsy (n = 9) or follow-up imaging (n = 4). CONCLUSION: Initial experience revealed MR imaging-guided 9-gauge vacuum-assisted core-needle breast biopsy to be a reasonable alternative to MR imaging-guided wire localization of suspicious lesions identified at MR imaging only, on the basis of published information regarding the latter.     

Case-based reasoning computer algorithm that uses mammographic findings for breast biopsy decisions

OBJECTIVE: We present case-based reasoning computer software developed from mammographic findings to provide support for the clinical decision to perform biopsy of the breast. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The case-based reasoning system is designed to support the decision to perform biopsy in those patients who have suspicious findings on diagnostic mammography. Currently, between 66% and 90% of biopsies are performed on benign lesions. Our system is designed to help decrease the number of benign biopsies without missing malignancies. Clinicians interpret the mammograms using a standard reporting lexicon. The case-based reasoning system compares these findings with a database of cases with known outcomes (from biopsy) and returns the fraction of similar cases that were malignant. This malignancy fraction is an intuitive response that the clinician can then consider when making the decision regarding biopsy. RESULTS: The system was evaluated using a round-robin sampling scheme and performed with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.83, comparable with the performance of a neural network model. If only the cases returning a malignancy fraction of greater than a threshold of 0.10 are sent to biopsy, no malignancies would be missed, and the number of benign biopsies would be decreased by 25%. At a threshold of 0.21, 98%, of the malignancies would be biopsied, and the number of benign biopsies would be decreased by 41%. CONCLUSION: This preliminary investigation indicates that the case-based reasoning approach to computer-aided diagnosis has the potential to improve the accuracy of breast cancer diagnosis on mammography.     

MRI of occult breast carcinoma in a high-risk population

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of cancer and the positive predictive value of biopsy in the first screening round of breast MRI in women at high risk of developing breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review was performed of the records of 367 consecutive women at high risk of developing breast cancer who had normal findings on mammography and their first breast MRI screening examination during a 2-year period. The frequency of recommending biopsy at the first screening MRI study and the biopsy results were reviewed. RESULTS: Biopsy was recommended in 64 women (17%). Biopsy revealed cancer that was occult on mammography and physical examination in 14 (24%) of 59 women who had biopsy and in 14 (4%) of 367 women who underwent breast MRI screening. Histologic findings in 14 women with cancer were ductal carcinoma in situ in eight (57%) and infiltrating carcinoma in six (43%). The median size of infiltrating carcinoma was 0.4 cm (range, 0.1-1.2 cm). Two patients had nodes that were positive for cancer. Biopsy revealed high-risk lesions (atypical ductal hyperplasia, atypical lobular hyperplasia, lobular carcinoma in situ, or radial scar) in 13 (4%) of 367 women and other benign findings in 32 (9%) of 367 women who had MRI screening. CONCLUSION: Among women at high risk of developing breast cancer, breast MRI led to a recommendation of biopsy in 17%. Cancer was found in 24% of women who underwent biopsy and in 4% of women who had breast MRI screening. More than half the MRI-detected cancers were ductal carcinoma in situ.     

Non-palpable breast lesions. Diagnostic criteria and preoperative localization

Marking of non-palpable breast lesions for biopsy has become a routine procedure in patients in whom mammography has suggested malignancy. Between October 1981 and December 1985 a localization method was used in 123 patients. In 35 per cent of the biopsies a malignant lesion was disclosed. In patients with a mass only, malignancy was found in 37 per cent of the biopsies. If microcalcifications alone were the main reason for the biopsy, malignancy was disclosed in 25 per cent. If both a mass and microcalcifications were present, 52 per cent of the biopsies disclosed a malignant lesion.     

Mammography and 99mTc-MIBI scintimammography in suspected breast cancer.

The aim of this work has been to evaluate whether a diagnostic protocol based on the joint use of mammography and 99mTc-methoxyisobutyl isonitrile (MIBI) scintimammography is capable of reducing the number of biopsies required in patients with suspected breast cancer. METHODS: We performed prone scintimammography in 90 patients with suspected breast cancer, involving 97 lesions. In all patients, the diagnosis was established by way of biopsy. On mammography, we evaluated the degree of suspicion of malignancy and the size of the lesion (smaller or larger than 1 cm in diameter). RESULTS: The results of only 41 of the biopsies indicated malignancy. On mammography, 20 lesions (of which 1 was breast cancer) were considered to be of low suspicion of malignancy, 31 (of which 4 were breast cancer) as indeterminate and 46 (of which 36 were breast cancer) as high. Fourteen lesions (2 low probability, 2 indeterminate and 10 high) were smaller than 1 cm, whereas 83 (18 low probability, 29 indeterminate and 36 high) were larger. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of scintimammography were 85%, 79%, 74% and 88%, respectively. Scintimammography was positive in all cases of breast cancer that initially had a low or indeterminate suspicion of malignancy according to mammography, as well as in 30 cases of breast cancer that initially were highly suspicious. Six false-negative scintimammography studies were obtained in lesions with a high suspicion of malignancy. CONCLUSION: We propose a diagnostic protocol with a biopsy performed on lesions that have a high suspicion of malignancy as well as those with low or indeterminate suspicion that are smaller than 1 cm or with positive scintimammography results. This would have reduced the total number of biopsies performed by 34%. More importantly, there would have been a 65% reduction in number of biopsies performed in the low and indeterminate mammographic suspicion groups. All 41 cases of breast cancer would have been detected.     

Calcifications of lobular carcinoma in situ of the breast: radiologic-pathologic correlation

OBJECTIVE: Because lobular carcinoma in situ is thought to be an incidental finding at breast pathology, the finding of lobular carcinoma in situ at core biopsy poses a diagnostic dilemma of radiologic-pathologic concordance. The purpose of this article is to describe the radiologic-pathologic correlation of calcifications associated with lobular carcinoma in situ of the breast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 1999 and July 2000, seven excisional biopsies resulted in findings of lobular carcinoma in situ of mammographic calcifications. The radiographic features of the calcifications were characterized by the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System lexicon, and pathologic features were reviewed. RESULTS: Two forms of lobular carcinoma in situ were associated with calcifications: the classic form with small, uniform cells, and the pleomorphic form with larger cells frequently associated with central necrosis. On mammography, all calcifications were clustered, punctate, high density, and smaller than or equal to 0.5 mm, although mammographically visible calcifications found in the pleomorphic type tended to be larger and more dense. Additionally, infiltrating lobular carcinoma was found after surgical excision in two (40%) of five patients with pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ. CONCLUSION: Calcifications can be associated with lobular carcinoma in situ and therefore concordant at stereotactic core biopsy. The classic form may be incidental and clinically innocuous. The pleomorphic form is morphologically similar to ductal carcinoma in situ and may have a greater tendency for invasion.     

False-negative MR imaging of malignant breast tumors

In this study we analyze MR-negative malignant lesions of the breast. A total of 204 patients with palpable and/or mammographic lesions were studied. The MR technique consisted of the turbo FLASH and MP-RAGE subtraction techniques. All patients underwent surgical biopsy and/or mastectomy and all specimens were examined by the correlative radiologic-histologic mapping technique. A total of 208 lesions were evaluated; 145 turned out to be malignant and 63 proved to be benign. Six malignant lesions were misinterpreted as benign on MR imaging; thus, suspicious contrast enhancement was present in 96 % of the lesions detected by mammography, US, or clinical examination. Especially 4 of the 17 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) lesions were misinterpreted (23.5 %). Despite optimal technique, 6 malignant lesions were not identified by MR imaging. The highest prevalence of these MR occult lesions was in the group of DCIS. Although MR imaging has an important role in the evaluation of breast lesions and, primarily, in ruling out malignancy, one should be aware of the fact that false-negative MR findings do occur. Received 8 July 1996; Revision received 7 October 1996; Accepted 6 February 1997     

Comparison of preoperative simultaneous stereotactic fine needle aspiration biopsy and stereotactic core needle biopsy in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast

PURPOSE: To compare the preoperative results of stereotactic fine needle aspiration biopsy (S-FNAB) with stereotactic core needle biopsy (S-CNB) performed simultaneously in breast lesions with the postoperative histopathological diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of all histological grades. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 733 consecutive stereotactic biopsies were performed between May 1993 and June 1999. In 72 patients with mammographic findings suspicious of malignancy who were subjected to breast surgery, postoperative histopathology showed DCIS. Preoperatively, S-FNAB and S-CNB had been done simultaneously in all patients, S-FNAB with spinal needle 0.7 or 0.9 mm and S-CNB was performed with an automated 2.1-mm biopsy gun. An average of 3 S-FNABs and 3 S-CNBs were performed in each patient. RESULTS: In 56 (78%) of the 72 patients S-CNB showed DCIS. In 3 patients (4%) the S-CNB revealed "probable carcinoma", in 7 patients (10%) "atypia" and in 6, the lesions were benign. In 34 (47%) of the 72 women S-FNABs showed carcinoma, not otherwise specified. In 6 cases (8%) the S-FNABs showed "probable carcinoma" and in 12 patients (17%) "atypia"; 8 lesions were benign and 12 not diagnostic. CONCLUSION: S-CNB was superior to S-FNAB in diagnosing DCIS. Only 6 patients (8%) received a benign or non-diagnostic preoperative diagnosis with S-CNB compared to 20 patients (28%) with S-FNAB. S-CNB was superior to S-FNAB for preoperative diagnosis of DCIS, but S-FNAB could further increase the sensitivity of the biopsy since it diagnosed cancer in 4 cases where S-CNB showed benign material.     

MR imaging-guided 10-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsy: histological characterisation

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate a handheld vacuum-assisted device for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided breast biopsy.

Materials and methods

In 47 patients, a total of 47 suspicious breast lesions (mean maximum diameter 9 mm) seen with MRI (no suspicious changes on breast ultrasound or mammography) were sampled using a 10-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VAB) device under MRI guidance. Histology of biopsy specimens was compared with final histology after surgery or with follow-up in benign lesions.

Results

Technical success was achieved in all biopsies. Histological results from VAB revealed malignancy in 15 lesions (32%), atypical ductal hyperplasia in four lesions (8%) and benign findings in 28 lesions (60%). One of four lesions with atypical ductal hyperplasia was upgraded to ductal carcinoma in situ after surgery. One of seven lesions showing ductal carcinoma was upgraded to invasive carcinoma after surgery. Two lesions diagnosed as infiltrating carcinoma by VAB were not validated at excisional biopsy due to complete removal of the lesion during the procedure. During the follow-up (mean 18 months) of histologically benign lesions, we observed no cases of breast cancer development. Because of morphological changes on follow-up MRI scans, two lesions underwent surgical excision, which confirmed their benign nature. Besides minor complications (massive bleeding, n=1) requiring no further therapeutic intervention, no complications occurred.

Conclusions

MRI-guided biopsy of breast lesions using a handheld vacuum-assisted device is a safe and effective method for the workup of suspicious lesions seen on breast MRI alone.     

Biopsy of amorphous breast calcifications: pathologic outcome and yield at stereotactic biopsy.

PURPOSE: To assess the pathologic outcome of amorphous breast calcifications and the success of stereotactic biopsy for such lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 1995 through February 2000, biopsy of all clustered amorphous calcifications not clearly stable for at least 5 years or in a diffuse scattered distribution was recommended. Logistic regression analysis was used to stratify the risk of malignancy by patient risk factors, calcification distribution, and stability. RESULTS: Calcifications were retrieved from 150 biopsies; 30 (20%) proved malignant and included 27 ductal carcinomas in situ and three low-grade invasive and intraductal carcinomas (2-5 mm). Another 30 (20%) yielded high-risk lesions, including 21 atypical ductal hyperplasia, eight atypical lobular hyperplasia, and one lobular carcinoma in situ. In 150 lesions, stereotactic biopsy was performed on 113 and aborted in 10. Calcifications were retrieved from all 113 stereotactic biopsies. Of those with calcification retrieval, there were three histologic underestimates (accuracy, 97%). Stereotactic biopsy spared a surgical procedure in 57 (46%) of 123 patients. Needle localization was required for 23 (15%) of 150 patients due to poor conspicuity. Five (45%) of 11 biopsies performed in women with ipsilateral breast cancer showed malignancy (P = .025). When multiple lesions of amorphous calcifications were present in one breast, sampling of one reliably predicted the outcome of others. CONCLUSION: We found a substantial rate of ductal carcinoma in situ and high-risk lesions associated with amorphous calcifications. Stereotactic biopsy can be successfully performed for the majority of subtle amorphous calcifications; however, only a minority were spared a surgical procedure.     

Scintimammography with dedicated breast camera detects and localizes occult carcinoma.

This study assessed the utility of scintimammography using a standard gamma-camera and a dedicated breast camera as an adjuvant to mammography and clinical examination. METHODS: The study population comprised 37 patients with dense breasts and a family or personal history of breast cancer. The subjects had no suggestive clinical or mammographic findings. After intravenous administration of (99m)Tc-sestamibi, the patients were imaged using a conventional gamma-camera and a dedicated breast camera that allowed breast compression during image acquisition. Images were interpreted independently by 2 reviewers. All patients with positive scintimammography findings underwent biopsy. RESULTS: Dedicated breast camera results were positive in 13.5% (5/37) of patients. Biopsy of these 5 patients yielded 3 carcinomas: an infiltrating lobular carcinoma, a ductal carcinoma in situ, and an infiltrating tubular carcinoma. These 3 carcinomas were undetectable by clinical breast examination or mammography, even on retrospective review. Only one of these, the tubular carcinoma, was readily detectable by the standard gamma-camera. CONCLUSION: Scintimammography using a dedicated breast camera may augment mammography and clinical breast examination for the subset of women who have dense breast tissue and are at high risk of breast cancer.     

Sonomammography in benign breast disease

An assessment is made of direct-contact B-scan sonomammography in 480 patients with clinically benign breast disease, of whom 121 underwent biopsy. In eight patients, ultrasound was normal when histology showed diffuse benign disease, and in four patients, ultrasound gave a benign result when histology showed malignancy. In 25 patients, attenuating shadow led to biopsy for a false positive diagnosis of carcinoma. Ultrasound can be used to avert unnecessary biopsy either by excluding a focal mass or by revealing clinically unsuspected malignancy when X-ray mammography shows moderate or marked density in patients complaining of a breast lump or nodularity.     

Mucocelelike lesions of the breast: mammographic findings with pathologic correlation

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to review the imaging features of mucocelelike breast lesions, correlate the mammographic and pathologic findings, and determine recommendations for management. CONCLUSION: Mucocelelike lesions are more common than previously reported and are likely to exhibit indeterminate calcifications on mammography. Diagnosis is most often made with Mammotome biopsy. A large number of patients have associated atypia or carcinoma. For patients with purely benign histologic findings at Mammotome biopsy, optimal management should be excisional biopsy to exclude associated malignancy.     

Imaging-guided core needle biopsy of papillary lesions of the breast

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess the incidence of papillary lesions of the breast diagnosed at imaging-guided core needle biopsy and the need for surgical excision after a benign diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 1374 patients with consecutive suspicious breast lesions that underwent either mammography or sonographically guided large-core needle breast biopsy. Fifty-seven lesions (4%) were classified as papillary lesions. Eleven of the 57 cases were lost to follow-up (n = 6) or had not yet shown 2 years of stability (n = 5) and were excluded from this study. The remaining 46 papillary lesions constitute our study population. RESULTS: Surgical excision was performed in 17 (37%) of 46 papillary lesions. In the group of patients whose lesions were recommended for excision because carcinoma was identified at core biopsy, surgical excision revealed one false-positive and two true-positive diagnoses. In four cases, histologic diagnoses of the excisional biopsy and the core needle biopsy were discordant. One false-positive finding at core needle biopsy initially was interpreted as invasive ductal carcinoma on the basis of core needle biopsy specimens. In three false-negative findings, the initial diagnosis at core needle biopsy was upgraded after surgical excision. Two cases of papilloma with adjacent atypical ductal hyperplasia and one of atypical papilloma were upgraded to ductal carcinoma in situ after surgical excision. Imaging follow-up was performed in the remaining 29 patients. All lesions were stable or had decreased in size during the 2-year follow-up period. The negative predictive value of core needle biopsy for excluding malignancy among the papillary lesions diagnosed in our study was 93%. CONCLUSION: When the histologic diagnosis is benign, our data suggest that papillary lesions may be safely managed with imaging follow-up rather than with surgical excision. However, atypical papillary lesions or those associated with atypia require surgical excision because histologic underestimation occurs at a frequency similar to that in other atypical lesions undergoing core needle biopsy.     

MRI of the breast: state of the art

Contrast-enhanced MRI of the breast is probably the most sensitive method to detect breast pathology. It is best used to improve the sensitivity of mammography and sonography in selected patient groups with high breast cancer prevalence, where conventional methods are known to be less sensitive. Despite the high sensitivity of MRI, 5–12 % of invasive carcinomas are not recognized during MRI, because of lack of the typical criteria of carcinoma. MRI is probably inferior to mammography in detecting ductal in-situ carcinoma or very small carcinomas (< 3 mm), because the neo-angiogenesis induced by these small carcinomas is too faint to be detected by contrast-enhanced MRI. These tumours cannot be excluded by a normal MRI examination. MRI is non-specific as the distinction of benign and malignant breast lesions is unreliable. Only in selected cases (fat- or blood-containing lesions) may it improve the specificity of mammography and sonography. Mostly image-guided core biopsy is by far the most specific and least expensive method to establish a definitive diagnosis. For lesions exclusively detected by contrast-enhanced MRI, simple and reliable localisation devices are urgently needed. Presently accepted indications for MRI of the breast are: patients with silicone implants after mastectomy or augmentation mammoplasty (detection of recurrence/prothesis rupture/silicon leakage); patients whose breasts are difficult to evaluate by combined mammography and sonography, who have had breast conservation therapy (local recurrence), or who have proven carcinoma in one breast (multifocality/-centricity or contralateral breast carcinoma) or proven axillary lymph node metastases from an unknown primary tumor, especially when these are hormone receptor positive; patients with extensive postoperative scarring. In the future, genetically defined high breast cancer risk may become an indication. Received 7 October 1997; Revision received 14 November 1997; Accepted 17 November 1997