Benign and malignant mucocele-like tumors of the breast: mammographic and sonographic appearances

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the mammographic and sonographic appearances of benign and malignant mucocele-like tumors. CONCLUSION: The mammographic appearance of mucocele-like tumor of the breast is characterized as pleomorphic calcifications, often increasing in number. Microcalcifications in malignant mucocele-like tumors extended over a wider area than those in benign mucocele-like tumors. Sonography often shows cysts with calcified or noncalcified mural nodules.     

乳腺钼靶X线摄影和超声诊断乳腺导管内癌的对照研究

目的 :评价乳腺钼靶X线摄影和超声诊断乳腺导管内癌的价值。材料和方法 :回顾性分析 3 8例病理证实乳腺导管内癌的乳腺钼靶X线摄影和超声的表现。结果 :3 8例中 ,乳腺钼靶X线摄影表现为丛样微小钙化点 16例( 4 2 .1% ) ,边界不规则高密度影 13例 ( 3 4.2 % )。乳腺导管造影显示导管充盈缺损或中断 6例 ( 15 .8% )。超声显示为界限不清和形态不规则实性肿块 11例 ( 2 8.9% ) ,界限清楚和形态规则实性肿块 6例 ( 15 .8% ) ,囊实性肿块 3例 ( 7.9% )。乳腺钼靶X线摄影和超声准确诊断率分别为 78.9%和 5 2 .6%。结论 :乳腺钼靶X线摄影和超声对乳腺导管内癌有诊断价值 ,但前者优于后者 ,二者结合能提高诊断率     

Granulomatous mastitis: mammographic and sonographic appearances.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study is to describe the mammographic and sonographic appearances of granulomatous mastitis. CONCLUSION: Granulomatous mastitis can mimic breast carcinoma clinically and mammographically, but the sonographic appearance of multiple clustered, often contiguous tubular hypoechoic lesions that are sometimes associated with a large hypoechoic mass should suggest the possibility of granulomatous mastitis.     

Mucinous (colloid) breast cancer: mammographic and US features with histologic correlation

OBJECTIVE: Mucinous carcinoma of the breast presents with different survival rates in pure and mixed types. The purpose of this study was to correlate the mammographic and ultrasonographic findings of mucinous carcinoma with histologic features in different types and mucin rates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients (2.3%) had mucinous cancer after retrospective review of the 1439 breast cancers diagnosed between 1990 and 1996. Twenty-seven patients, 19 pure and eight mixed type of mucinous carcinomas of the breast, were included in this study to evaluate the imaging findings. In 22 of these, the microscopic slides were available and re-evaluated to estimate the volume of extracellular mucin. The volume of the extracellular mucin was classified histologically as: (+), less than 50% of mucin; (++), 50-80% of mucin; and ( ), more than 80% of mucin. Mammographic features with emphasis on margin characteristics and sonographic echo pattern of tumors were correlated with histologic findings. RESULTS: Ten cases (53%) of pure mucinous type carcinomas had a circumscribed mass lesion on the mammograms. The well-defined, lobulated margins of the masses were well correlated with pure histologic type (P<0.01; chi(2) analysis) Two-thirds of these tumors had high volume extracellular mucin. All mixed type mucinous carcinomas demonstrated poorly defined or spiculated margins with no relation to the mucin rates (P<0.01). The sonographic appearances of the tumors showed correlation with histologic types. Most of the pure type carcinomas (53%) were seen with isoechogenic echo texture relative to that of subcutaneous fat, while all of the mixed type carcinomas were hypoechogenic (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The mammographic and sonographic features of mucinous breast carcinoma show differences in pure and mixed types of the tumor. The most common mammographic appearance of pure mucinous carcinomas with high percentages of mucin is a mass lesion having well-defined margins, which is isoechogenic relative to fat on the sonographic examination. Pure type of carcinomas with small percentages of mucin and mixed type carcinomas have more aggressive imaging characteristics.     

Sonographic assessment of breast calcifications

With widespread use of high-frequency sonography, breast imagers are beginning to commonly identify sonographic calcifications. The sonographic approach in assessing breast calcifications depends on whether the calcifications are initially identified sonographically or mammographically. If the calcifications are initially identified sonographically, a breast imager should first consider if the calcifications fit the characteristics of the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System Category 2—benign. If the calcifications are not benign, then one should assess the calcifications by their mammographic appearance. If the calcifications are initially identified mammographically, then the sonologist should be aware that one may not always visualize mammographic calcifications with sonography. Instead, if the radiologist seeks to localize mammographic calcifications with sonography, the imager should search for sonographic findings of invasive malignancy or ductal carcinoma in situ. These abnormalities include hypoechoic solid mass, focally dilated ducts, intraductal mass, or, rarely, isolated clustered calcifications.     

Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: clinical,mammographic, and sonographic findings with histopathologic correlation

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the mammographic and sonographic findings of metaplastic carcinoma of the breast and to correlate the radiologic features with clinical and histopathologic findings. CONCLUSION: Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast often manifests as a rapidly growing, palpable mass that has high density on mammography and may be microlobulated on sonography. Complex echogenicity with solid and cystic components may be seen sonographically and is related to necrosis and cystic degeneration found histopathologically. Although it is a rare breast malignancy and these features are not unique, metaplastic carcinoma should be included in the differential diagnosis for breast masses with these imaging features.     

乳腺癌X线表现特征与P53表达的相关性研究

目的分析乳腺癌X线表现特征与P53表达的相关性。方法经乳腺X线摄影及手术病理证实的76例乳腺癌,将X线所见分为肿块(大小、边缘、形态)与钙化(分布、形态)进行描述,并与P53的表达进行对照,分析其相关性。结果乳腺癌P53阳性表达的X线特征为肿块直径>2.0 cm、钙化沿导管走行分布、杆状钙化。结论乳腺癌P53的表达与肿块大小、钙化分布、钙化形态相关,根据X线表现可推测乳腺癌P53的表达情况。     

Mondor's disease of the breast: sonographic and mammographic findings

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mammographic and sonographic findings in patients with Mondor's disease of the breast. CONCLUSION: The combination of a sonographic finding of a superficial vessel-with or without an intraluminal thrombus and without flow on Doppler imaging-and a mammographic finding of a tubular density is the typical sign of Mondor's disease of the breast. Women present with a palpable cordlike structure, which is often painful, especially in the acute phase of thrombophlebitis. An understanding of such an entity and knowledge of the imaging findings will help breast imagers avoid the pitfall of mistaking this finding for a dilated duct.     

Low-Grade Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Breast: Imaging and Histopathologic Characteristics of This Rare Disease

Low-grade adenosquamous carcinoma is a rare histologic subtype of breast carcinoma that has a variable mammographic and sonographic appearance, which overlaps with both benign and malignant neoplasms. Because of its lack of unique imaging features, a diagnosis of low-grade adenosquamous carcinoma is based on histopathology. The recognition of this entity is an important consideration in the differential diagnosis of breast masses and carries implications for prognosis, which is more favorable than other types of breast carcinoma.     

Imaging features of metaplastic carcinoma with chondroid differentiation of the breast

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the imaging features--including the mammographic, sonographic, MRI, and bone scintigraphic findings--in 12 patients with metaplastic carcinoma with chondroid differentiation of the breast and to correlate the imaging findings with the pathologic features. CONCLUSION: Metaplastic carcinoma with chondroid differentiation of the breast manifests as a palpable mass and should be included in the differential diagnosis of a large indistinct highdensity mass with amorphous or coarse calcifications on mammography and a relatively circumscribed complex echoic mass with posterior enhancement on sonography. A relatively circumscribed mass with a nonenhancing T2 intermediate- to high-signal-intensity internal component on MRI and an area of intense uptake of 99mTc methylene diphosphonate (MDP) on bone scintigraphy might be useful in suggesting the diagnosis of metaplastic carcinoma with chondroid differentiation.     

Unusual mammographic and ultrasonographic findings in fibromatosis of the breast

Fibromatosis of the breast is an uncommon disease, most often appearing as an aggressive lesion mimicking carcinoma on mammography. We describe, in an asymptomatic 40-year-old woman, an unusual imaging appearance of fibromatosis of the breast mimicking a benign lesion at mammographic and sonographic studies.     

Tubular carcinoma of the breast: mammographic and sonographic features

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to define specific mammographic and sonographic features of tubular carcinoma of the breast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen pathologically confirmed cases of tubular carcinoma were characterized retrospectively by two radiologists. Mammograms and sonograms were available for all patients. RESULTS: Fifteen of the 17 tubular carcinomas appeared as irregularly shaped masses with spiculated margins on mammography. Sixteen of the 17 masses had central densities. Spicules longer than the diameter of the central lesion were noted in eight (53%) of 15 tubular carcinomas. Eight tubular carcinomas had associated calcifications, with calcifications suspected of being malignant in four cases. On sonography, 15 hypoechoic masses were seen. The margins of the masses on sonography were described as ill-defined in 14 (93%) of the 15 cases. Posterior acoustic shadowing was present in 14 of the 15 cases. CONCLUSION: Tubular carcinomas are usually seen on mammography as irregularly shaped masses with central densities and spiculated margins, and most tubular carcinomas can be identified on sonography as hypoechoic masses with ill-defined margins and posterior acoustic shadowing. Although the mammographic and sonographic features of tubular carcinoma are not sufficiently specific to differentiate tubular carcinomas from radial scars, sonography can be useful for guiding biopsies and evaluating for multifocal and multicentric disease.     

MR tomography of the breast. Supplemental information in select cases

Magnetic resonance tomography (MRT), as the newest imaging procedure in breast diagnosis, has to be compared with the combined use of conventional imaging methods. Many advantages of MRT, which have been emphasized in comparison with mammography, are not superior to the complementary use of mammography and sonography. Additional diagnostic information through MRT is yielded only in the following cases: differentiation between fibrous fibroadenoma of the elderly woman and circumscribed carcinoma with similar mammographic and sonographic appearances; distinction of stellated fibrous scar tissue from the scirrhotic configuration of the more vascular tumour fibrosis around a carcinoma by using contrast medium MRT; differentiation of periductal fibrosis from inflammatory or carcinomatous ductal and periductal infiltration; better delineation of fat or silicon implants. Finally, a significant advantage of mammography over all other imaging methods should be pointed out: the detailed visualization of microcalcifications for the early diagnosis of breast carcinoma.     

Differentiation of phyllodes tumors versus fibroadenomas

Purpose: To determine if mammographic and sonographic findings allow discrimination between phyllodes tumor and large sized fibroadenoma, which mimic each other in the clinical, radiologic and histopathologic appearances.Material and Methods: Thirty-one histopathologically proven masses including 12 phyllodes tumors and 19 fibroadenomas 3 cm or greater in diameter were compared. In total 28 women were retrospectively evaluated by mammography and pre-operative sonography.Results: Mammography revealed a high-density mass compared with surrounding fibroglandular breast tissue to be present in 9 of the 12 (75%) phyllodes tumors and 7 of the 19 (37%) fibroadenomas. At sonography a mass, which had a round or lobulated shape, marked posterior acoustic enhancement and intramural cystic areas, were statistically significantly more likely to be phyllodes tumors than fibroadenomas. None of the other mammographic or sonographic characteristics proved to be useful in differentiating phyllodes tumors and fibroadenomas.Conclusion: Although masses of high density at mammography, circumscribed border associated with posterior acoustic enhancement and internal cystic areas at sonography should suggest the diagnosis of phyllodes tumors rather than large sized fibroadenomas, there was a substantial overlap in the mammographic and sonographic characteristics of these two tumors. Therefore, an excisional biopsy would be necessary for equivocal masses.     

Male breast myofibroblastoma and MR findings.

Myofibroblastoma of the breast is a rare benign tumor seen predominantly in men in the sixth to seventh decades of life. We present a case of breast myofibroblastoma in a man and describe the mammographic, sonographic, and MR findings.     

Clinical, mammographic and ultrasonographic features of blunt breast trauma

Evaluation of acute breast injury depends largely on the findings at physical examination. Patients may not initially remember the traumatic event to the breast, and mammography may be the first radiographic study to suggest this history, particularly if it shows findings of fat necrosis. Clinical, mammographic and sonographic findings resulting from non-iatrogenic trauma to the breast can be mistaken for signs of malignancy, especially because trauma often is not considered as a cause for such findings. In this paper some of the manifestations of blunt traumatic injury to the breast are presented. Familiarity with mammographic and sonographic findings of breast trauma is essential for the radiologist to avoid unnecessary biopsy and to avoid overlooking breast cancer.     

Sonographic appearance of mucinous carcinoma of the breast

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sonographic and mammographic features of mucinous carcinoma and to correlate the imaging features with two histologic classifications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two radiologists analyzed the mammographic and sonographic features of 33 mucinous carcinomas. Mammographic features according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) and sonographic features were recorded and analyzed. The imaging features of the mass were correlated with the nuclear grade and mucin content of these 33 mucinous carcinomas. The incidence of axillary lymph nodes metastasis in different histologic grades and their detection by imaging were also assessed. RESULTS: As many as 21.2% (7/33) of mucinous carcinomas could not be detected mammographically. When they were detected mammographically, more than 92% of the tumors presented as a mass, either oval or lobular. Microlobulations were present in 38.5% of these lesions. The margin of the lesion as seen on mammography can be used to predict the histologic grade. A circumscribed margin was associated with a favorable histologic grade (p = 0.01), whereas an indistinct margin was more commonly associated with the mixed type of lesion (p = 0.05). Sonographically, mixed cystic and solid components, distal enhancement, and microlobulated margins were commonly found in mucinous carcinomas, with an incidence of 37.5%, 43.8%, and 56.3%, respectively. Homogeneity on sonography was associated with the pure type of mucinous carcinoma and hence a better prognosis. Sonography showed a sensitivity of 50%, specificity of 89%, positive predictive value of 60%, negative predictive value of 84%, and accuracy of 79.2% in the detection of axillary lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSION: Both sonographic and mammographic assessments are important in the correct diagnosis of mucinous carcinoma, the prediction of histologic grade, and the prognosis of the tumors.     

MR imaging of the breast in patients with invasive lobular carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess the usefulness of MR imaging in patients diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 1993 and September 1999, 32 women (33 cases) diagnosed with pure invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast underwent contrast-enhanced MR imaging examination. One woman was excluded because of lack of follow-up. Correlation was made between the mammographic and sonographic findings, the MR imaging findings, and the final pathology results for the remaining 32 cases. RESULTS: In 18 women who did not undergo excisional biopsy before the MR imaging, MR imaging showed more extensive tumor burden or the detection of the primary lesion that was occult on conventional imaging in seven (38.9%) of 18 women. In nine (50%) of 18 women, MR imaging performed equally as well as mammography and sonography. In one case (5.6%), MR imaging and mammography underestimated disease extent. In another patient (5.6%), MR imaging overestimated tumor burden, although mammography failed to show the cancer. In 14 patients who had excisional biopsy before the MR imaging, residual tumor was shown in eight women (57.1%) with extensive tumor or additional separate foci in five of the eight patients. In two cases (14.3%) that were interpreted as equivocal, residual tumor was shown in both cases on reexcision. In three cases (21.4%), the MR imaging was interpreted as negative, but microscopic tumor was shown around seroma on reexcision. False-positive enhancement was seen in one case (7.1%). CONCLUSION: MR imaging showed more extensive tumor than conventional imaging and affected the clinical management in 16 (50%) of 32 patients with invasive lobular carcinoma.     

Do all mucocele-like lesions of the breast require surgery?

Aim

The objective of this study is to review the imaging features and percutaneous biopsy findings of mucocele-like lesions (MLLs) of the breast and correlate these with histopathology at surgical excision (SE), where available, to determine whether all MLLs of the breast require surgery for management.

Materials and Methods

A search of two pathology databases was performed to identify 44 patients who had been diagnosed with MLL of the breast and who had corresponding imaging findings available for review. These patients' medical records were reviewed to determine patient age at diagnosis, site of disease/affected breast, symptoms at diagnosis, mammographic and sonographic findings and methods used for histopathologic diagnosis (percutaneous biopsy and/or SE).

Results

The mean age of all patients was 56 years (range, 35-76 years). Sixteen patients had MLLs diagnosed by core needle biopsy (CNB) or fine needle aspiration biopsy followed by SE. Eighteen patients had CNB without SE and had clinical and imaging follow-up. Ten patients had MLL diagnosed at SE without prior percutaneous biopsy. In total, 29 patients (66%) had MLLs without atypia, while 10 patients had MLLs associated with atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) (23%) and five patients had MLLs associated with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (11%). Findings were upgraded at SE following the percutaneous biopsy from ADH to DCIS in 19% (3/16) of patients.

Conclusion

Surgical excision following the identification of MLL is warranted to exclude coexisting in situ carcinoma in specific situations where CNB detects the presence of associated ADH or where a mass with indistinct or irregular margins is shown by mammography or sonography.     

Ultrasound detection of nonpalpable mammographically occult malignancy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of occult malignancy with screening breast ultrasound. METHODS: All ultrasound-guided core needle breast biopsies performed between January 1, 1999, and June 30, 2001, were retrospectively reviewed. Lesions were identified during screening breast ultrasound in high-risk women with no mammographic or palpable abnormality in either breast, a unilateral mammographic or palpable abnormality in the contralateral breast, or a unilateral mammographic or palpable abnormality in a different quadrant of the same breast. All ultrasound-detected lesions were histologically verified. RESULTS: Six hundred and fifty-two women with a mean age of 49 years underwent 698 biopsies during the study period. Three hundred and forty-nine of these lesions were detected at screening breast ultrasound. Out of 349, 11 (3.2%) had a mammographically and clinically occult malignancy. Nine cancers were found in women with no mammographic or palpable abnormality. Two cancers were found in the same breast as the mammographic or palpable abnormality. None were found in the breast contralateral to a palpable or mammographic abnormality. CONCLUSION: Screening breast ultrasound of high-risk women has a similar detection rate for occult carcinoma as screening mammography, but has a low positive predictive value in cases where biopsy is performed.