Real-world application of breast-specific gamma imaging, initial experience at a community breast center and its potential impact on clinical care

BACKGROUND: Breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI) has brought scintimammography back to the forefront by using a dedicated small field-of-view system designed to detect and localize lesions down to 2 mm. Initial studies have reported sensitivity equaling that of magnetic resonance imaging, but with improved specificity. We reviewed our initial experience to evaluate the impact of this technology at our community breast center. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the initial 176 patients who underwent BSGI. RESULTS: A total of 128 patients underwent BSGI because of suspicious imaging, abnormal physical examination, or high risk with dense breasts. BSGI was positive in 12 of 107 patients with breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) 1, 2, or 3. Two of these were cancer. Of the 21 patients with BI-RADS 4, 18 were BSGI negative (11 with benign biopsy, 7 observed), and 3 were BSGI positive with 2 being cancer. Forty-eight patients with a new diagnosis of cancer obtained BSGI for further work-up. It was positive at a new location in 6 cases: 2 cases were new cancers in the contralateral breast, 1 was in the ipsilateral breast, and the remaining 3 had benign pathology. Of the 176 initial patients, clinical management was changed significantly in 14.2%, with another 6.3% in whom a negative BSGI could have prevented a biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: BSGI has played an important role in our clinical management of breast patients with complex breast tissue. BSGI is also a good adjunctive imaging tool in the work-up of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.     

Breast-specific gamma imaging with 99mTc-Sestamibi and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of breast cancer--a comparative study

The purpose of this study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI) using a high-resolution breast-specific gamma camera and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with indeterminate breast findings. Twenty-three women with an indeterminate breast finding that required BSGI and MRI as deemed necessary by the interpreting radiologist or referring physician were included. MRI was performed on a GE 1.5T scanner and BSGI was performed on a Dilon high-resolution breast-specific gamma camera. All imaging findings were correlated with pathologic diagnosis. Thirty-three indeterminate lesions were evaluated in the study. There were a total of nine pathologically confirmed cancers. There was no statistically significant difference in sensitivity of cancer detection between BSGI and MRI. BSGI demonstrated a greater specificity than MRI, 71% and 25%, respectively. BSGI has equal sensitivity and greater specificity than MRI for the detection of breast cancer.     

Clinical utility of breast-specific gamma imaging for evaluating disease extent in the newly diagnosed breast cancer patient

Background

Breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI) is a functional imaging modality that has comparable sensitivity but superior specificity compared with magnetic resonance imaging, yielding fewer false-positive results and thereby improving clinical management of the newly diagnosed breast cancer patient.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed from 2 community-based breast imaging centers of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients in whom BSGI was performed as part of the imaging work-up.

Results

A total of 138 patients (69 invasive ductal carcinoma, 20 invasive lobular carcinoma, 32 ductal carcinoma in situ, and 17 mixtures of invasive ductal carcinoma, invasive lobular carcinoma, or ductal carcinoma in situ and other) were reviewed. Twenty-five patients (18.1%) had a positive BSGI study at a site remote from their known cancer or more extensive disease than detected from previous imaging. Fifteen patients (10.9%) were positive for a synchronous or more extensive malignancy in the same or contralateral breast. Five patients had benign findings on pathology, 5 benign on ultrasound follow-up (false-positive rate, 7.2%). Findings converted 7 patients to mastectomy, 1 patient to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and 7 patients were found to have previously undetected contralateral cancer. The positive predictive value for BSGI was 92.9%.

Conclusions

BSGI detected additional or more extensive malignancy in the same or contralateral breast in 10.9% of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Only 7.2% incurred an additional work-up. BSGI provides accurate evaluation of remaining breast tissue in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with few false-positive readings.     

薄层连续MRI扫描描记臂丛神经

目的 通过薄层连续MRI扫描显示臂丛神经形态。方法 采用1．5-T MRI(GE，Signa)对6例健康志愿者行双侧臂丛神经斜矢状位和冠状位扫描，确认其与周围组织解剖定位关系，并观察其走行和分支情况。结果 所有志愿者的臂丛神经均得到了较好的显示，斜矢状位T2加权压脂可明显显示臂丛神经及部分神经束，特别是神经根出口处可以得到很好的显示。结论 薄层连续MRI扫描可以显示臂丛神经的形态，可以提高其对臂丛损伤的诊断。     

Correlation of targeted ultrasound with magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities of the breast

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast is highly sensitive for cancer. However, MRI frequently detects additional lesions that mandate further evaluation. The intent of this study was to assess the ability of targeted ultrasound to identify additional lesions detected on MRI in patients undergoing evaluation for breast cancer. METHODS: Between January 1, 1999, and July 15, 2004, 270 women underwent breast MRI at Grant Medical Center. MRI was obtained in 191 women during evaluation for documented or suspected breast cancer. Fifty-two patients had additional suspicious lesions on MRI, prompting targeted ultrasound; these patients constituted our study population. RESULTS: Seventy-five additional suspicious lesions were detected on breast MRI in 52 women. Two women underwent mastectomy without targeted ultrasound. Targeted ultrasound identified 65 of the remaining 73 lesions (89%). Eight lesions (11%) were not visible on targeted ultrasound. CONCLUSION: Targeted ultrasound can be a reliable method to correlate MRI abnormalities in breast cancer patients.     

Value analysis of postoperative staging imaging for asymptomatic,early-stage breast cancer: implications of clinical variation on utility and cost

Background

Routine staging imaging for early-stage breast cancer is not recommended. Despite this, there is clinical practice variation with imaging studies obtained for asymptomatic patients with a positive sentinel node (SN+). We characterize the utility, cost, and clinical implications of imaging studies obtained in asymptomatic SN+ patients.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of asymptomatic, clinically node-negative patients who were found to have a positive sentinel node after surgery. The type of imaging, subsequent tests/interventions, frequency of additional malignancy detected, and costs were recorded.

Results

From April 2009 to April 2013, a total of 50 of 113 (44%) asymptomatic patients underwent staging imaging for a positive sentinel node; 11 (22%) patients had at least 1 subsequent imaging study or diagnostic intervention. No instance of metastatic breast cancer was identified, with a total cost of imaging calculated at $116,905.

Conclusions

Staging imaging for asymptomatic SN+ breast cancer demonstrates clinical variation. These tests were associated with low utility, increased costs, and frequent false positives leading to subsequent testing/intervention. Evidence-based standardization may help increase quality by decreasing unnecessary variation and cost.     

Background parenchymal enhancement in breast magnetic resonance imaging: A review of current evidences and future trends

Background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) on breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a dynamic process, which varies among women and within the same woman over time due to different factors. BPE has profound implications for women with or at risk of breast cancer. Breast radiologist should be aware of factors that could potentially influence BPE and have to be familiar with its typical appearance. Marked BPE could indeed affect the diagnostic accuracy of breast MRI, but this shortcoming can be minimized through evaluation by dedicated radiologists, in order to correctly interpret and properly manage the additional findings. BPE shows promise as an imaging biomarker but many issues need to be addressed before it can be used either to determine screening strategy or the value of risk-reducing interventions. This review analyzes the clinical influence of BPE on breast MRI interpretation, breast cancer staging and surgical outcome and discusses current available evidences about BPE as an imaging biomarker.     

MR is/is not a useful diagnostic tool for breast cancer management

Aim: To assess the feasibility of percutaneous pulmonary radiofrequency ablation (RFA) executed by a single surgeon.

Materials and Methods: Between 2007 and 2010, 15 procedures were performed in 11 patients during 13 sessions. Sex, age, pulmonary localisation and tumor diameter are discussed. Metastatic lesions as well as pulmonary primitive malignancies were treated. For metastatic lesions, the primitive tumor was considered as completely treated. Surgery was refused because of impaired pulmonary function or due to patient’s refusal. All interventions were carried out by a single thoracic surgeon under CT-guidance in the department of radiology.

Results: RFA was completed in all patients without perprocedural complications. There was no significant perioperative morbidity. Pneumothorax was the most frequent complication but none of the patients needed thoracic drainage. Hospital stay decreased progressively since the start of this series. Follow-up was complete. Most lesions were stable or diminishing in size.

Conclusion: These early results show that pulmonary RFA is a safe and feasible technique in the hands of the surgeon. Longer follow-up and larger series will be welcome to confirm the results and position of this procedure which might become an important tool for the surgeon and not only for radiologists.     

Laparoscopic nephrectomy is cost effective compared with open nephrectomy in a large county hospital.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the experience with laparoscopic nephrectomy in a large county hospital and perform a cost comparison between uncomplicated open and laparoscopic nephrectomy. METHODS: Eleven consecutive patients who underwent an uncomplicated laparoscopic nephrectomy in a large county hospital were compared with 8 patients who underwent uncomplicated open nephrectomy during the same period. Patient charts and corresponding billing records were reviewed to determine overall hospitalization cost and individual cost components. RESULTS: No perioperative complications occurred in either the laparoscopic or open group, and no statistically significant differences existed between groups with regard to patient demographics or operative parameters. The overall operating room costs favored the open nephrectomy group by dollars 1070 (P=0.003). However, the overall cost of hospitalization, surgeon professional fees, duration of hospitalization, room and board costs, laboratory, and radiology costs, pharmacy costs, intravenous solution and infusion pump costs all significantly favored the laparoscopic patient group. The mean difference in overall hospital cost between laparoscopic and open nephrectomy was dollars 1211 in favor of laparoscopy (P=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Our experience with laparoscopic nephrectomy in a large county hospital demonstrates a clear economic advantage in favor of the laparoscopic approach. Given limited funding for public hospitals and a clear patient benefit, laparoscopic nephrectomy should constitute first-line therapy when nephrectomy is indicated.     

Willingness of breast cancer survivors to participate in a randomized controlled trial of digital mammography with or without MRI as breast cancer surveillance: A feasibility study

Breast MRI is often used for surveillance of breast cancer (BC) survivors despite the lack of evidence in this population. We surveyed younger BC survivors to evaluate their willingness to participate in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of annual digital mammography with or without MRI. Median age of the 348 participants was 51 years; 45% had undergone diagnostic MRI. 22% continued to have surveillance MRI. 58% agreed to consider participating in the proposed RCT; 16% remained neutral. An RCT of MRI surveillance for BC survivors <age 60 is still feasible at centres where annual MRI is not yet routinely recommended.     

Correlation between imaging and molecular classification of breast cancers

The histological type of tumour according to the WHO: ductal, lobular, rare forms, is correlated with specific aspects of the imaging based on each type. This morphological classification was improved by knowledge of the molecular anomalies of breast cancers, resulting in the definition of cancer sub-groups with distinct prognoses and different responses to treatment: luminal A, luminal B, HER2 positive, basal-like, triple-negative. Studies are beginning to deal with the appearance of each sub-type in the imaging. It is now important for the radiologist to be familiar with them.     

肛瘘MRI术前诊断价值与术中结果对照分析

【摘要】〓目的〓探讨术前磁共振(MRI)检查对肛瘘的定位、分型的临床指导意义。方法〓50例肛瘘患者行MRI检查,根据MRI所见,定位瘘道位置,依据窦道与肛门内外括约肌关系进行分型,并与术中所见结果相对照。结果〓手术证实50例患者中,30例为单纯性肛瘘,20例为复杂性肛瘘。括约肌间型20例,经括约肌型12例,括约肌上型6例,括约肌外型3例,表浅型9例。原发性瘘管72个,内口78个,外口77个,肛周脓肿17个。MRI诊断原发瘘管、内口、肛周脓肿的灵敏度分别为93.1%、96.2%、100%,特异度分别为91.5%、97.5%、91.3%。结论〓MRI可准确地判断肛瘘的分型、瘘管数量、走行、支管、内口的位置及有无肛周脓肿形成,为临床手术治疗提供重要指导信息。     

Breast MRI Wire-Guided Excisional Biopsy: Specimen Size as Compared to Mammogram Wire-Guided Excisional Biopsy and Implications for Use

Background Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been implemented as a screening tool for early detection and as a diagnostic test in the management of breast cancer. Lesions identified by MRI but not amenable to conventional biopsy techniques require MRI wire-guided excisional biopsy (MRIbx). We hypothesized that more tissue would be resected with MRIbx compared to Mammobx. We also sought to evaluate factors that might predict the presence of breast cancer in patients undergoing MRIbx. Methods We reviewed consecutive cases of breast MRIbx from 2004 to 2006 performed by seven surgeons. MRI was performed in patients with either a synchronous breast cancer or significant risk factors. Lesions visualized only by MRI underwent diagnostic MRIbx. The control group was comprised of consecutive cases that underwent diagnostic Mammobx during the same time period. The volumes of tissue resected, overall and by pathologic outcome, were compared. Results Seventy-one patients, with a mean age of 48, underwent MRIbx. Eleven (15.5%) invasive breast cancers and eight cases (11.3%) of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) were identified. The median volume of tissue resected was significantly greater than that in the Mammobx group (28.8 cm³ vs 21.1 cm³, respectively). DCIS-containing MRIbx specimens were significantly larger than benign or invasive cancer-containing specimens. There was no significant overall association between either the indication for MRIbx or the size of the MRI lesion and the frequency of cancer. Conclusions In patients undergoing breast MRIbx, 27% were found to have DCIS or invasive breast cancer. MRIbx was associated with significantly larger specimen volumes than Mammobx.     

MRI Screening in a Clinic Population with a Family History of Breast Cancer

Background Breast MRI is increasingly being used in patients at increased risk for breast cancer; however, guidelines for MRI screening are inadequately defined. We describe our experience with MRI screening in a large population of women with a family history of breast cancer. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the Memorial Sloan–Kettering breast cancer surveillance program prospective database from April 1999 to July 2006. Patients with a family history of breast cancer and at least 1 year follow-up were identified. All patients were offered biannual clinical breast examination (CBE) and annual mammography (MMG). MRI screening was performed at the discretion of the physician and patient. Results Family history profiles revealed 1,019 eligible patients; median follow-up was 5.0 years. MRI screening was performed in 374 (37%) patients resulting in a total of 976 MRIs during the study period. Cancer was detected in 9/374 patients (2%) undergoing MRI screening. Seven cancers were detected by MRI only, for a cancer detection rate of 0.7% (7/976) for screening MRI. When stratified by family risk profile, the positive predictive value (PPV) of MRI was higher (13%) in those patients with the strongest family histories and lower (6%) in patients with less significant family histories. Conclusions MRI screening can be a useful adjunct to CBE and MMG in patients with high-risk family histories of breast cancer, yet it has low yield in patients with lower-risk family histories. These data suggest that MRI screening should be reserved for those at highest risk. Patrick I. Borgen is currently affiliated with Maimonides Cancer Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.     

Advancing imaging technologies for patients with spinal pain: with a focus on whiplash injury

Background Context

Radiological observations of soft-tissue changes that may relate to clinical symptoms in patients with traumatic and non-traumatic spinal disorders are highly controversial. Studies are often of poor quality and findings are inconsistent. A plethora of evidence suggests some pathoanatomical findings from traditional imaging applications are common in asymptomatic participants across the life span, which further questions the diagnostic, prognostic, and theranostic value of traditional imaging. Although we do not dispute the limited evidence for the clinical importance of most imaging findings, we contend that the disparate findings across studies may in part be due to limitations in the approaches used in assessment and analysis of imaging findings.

Diagnostic value and safety of dynamic MRI of contralateral breast and axilla in subjects with tissue expander

Introduction

To verify the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced breast and axillary MRI in patients with tissue expander labeled as “MR-unsafe” and to confirm its safety.

Impact of selective use of breast MRI on surgical decision-making in women with newly diagnosed operable breast cancer

BackgroundThis study evaluated the impact of breast MRI on surgical planning in selected cases of breast malignancy (invasive cancer or DCIS). MRI was used when there was ambiguity on clinical and/or conventional imaging assessment.MethodsConsecutive women with breast malignancy undergoing breast MRI were included. Clinical, mammogram and ultrasound findings and surgical plan before and after MRI were recorded. MRI findings and histopathology results were documented and the impact of MRI on treatment planning was evaluated.ResultsMRI was performed in 181/1416 (12.8%) cases (invasive cancer 155/1219 (12.7%), DCIS 26/197 (13.2%)). Indications for MRI were: clinically dense breast tissue difficult to assess (n = 66; 36.5%), discordant clinical/conventional imaging assessment (n = 61; 33.7%), invasive lobular carcinoma in clinically dense breast tissue (n = 22; 12.2%), palpable/mass-forming DCIS (n = 11; 6.1%); other (n = 19; 10.5%). The recall rate for assessment of additional lesions was 35% (63/181). Additional biopsy-proven malignancy was found in 11/29 (37.9%) ipsilateral breast recalls and 8/34 (23.5%) contralateral breast recalls. MRI detected contralateral malignancy (unsuspected on conventional imaging) in 5/179 (2.8%). The additional information from MRI changed management in 69/181 (38.1%), with more unilateral surgery (wider excision or mastectomy) in 53/181 (29.3%), change to bilateral surgery in 12/181 (6.6%), less surgery in 4/181 (2.2%). Clinical examination estimated histological size within 20 mm in 57%, conventional imaging in 55% and MRI in 71%.ConclusionMRI was most likely to show concordance with histopathology in the ‘discordant assessment’ and ‘invasive lobular’ groups and less likely for ‘challenging clinically dense breast tissue.’ MRI changed management in 69/181 (38.1%).