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.     

The correlation of mammographic-and histologic patterns of breast cancers in BRCA1 gene mutation carriers, compared to age-matched sporadic controls

Breast cancers in BRCA1 gene mutation carriers often have specific histologic features: grade III tumors with pushing margins. Our purpose was to compare the mammographic and histologic features of breast cancers in carriers with those in age-matched sporadic controls. The features of breast cancers in 27 BRCA1 carriers found during annual surveillance were compared to those in 107 age-matched sporadic controls. The carriers had no (classic) spiculated mammographic lesions, a high percentage of well-defined masses and hardly any masses with microcalcifications, whereas the controls had significantly fewer well-defined ones and only in 27% spiculated lesions on the mammogram. The well-defined mammographic tumors correlated in 83% of the carriers and in 70% of the controls with histologic circumscribed tumor margins. Spiculated mammographic lesions in the controls were in 90% grade I or II tumors. DCIS with or without infiltration was seen in 22% of the carriers and in 45% of the controls. In conclusion, breast cancers diagnosed in BRCA1 carriers do not have classic malignant mammographic features. A minority of the young sporadic controls show the classic malignant lesion on the mammogram. Both carriers and controls generally show a good correlation between their mammographic- and histologic tumor pattern.     

Incidental enhancing lesions found on MR imaging of the breast

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine the frequency and significance of foci of enhancement having no corresponding mammographic or clinical abnormality that are encountered on MR imaging of the breast performed to evaluate mammograms with equivocal findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reports from MR examinations of 103 patients who underwent MR imaging of the breast to evaluate questionable mammographic findings were retrospectively reviewed. We identified cases that had focal enhancing lesions without a corresponding mammographic or palpable abnormality. Clinical history, mammograms, MR images, and follow-up information were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 103 patients, 30 (29%) had incidental foci of enhancement. These women were significantly younger, more often premenopausal, and more likely to have dense breasts than those who did not have incidental foci. Tissue confirmation of the incidental foci was available for seven patients, mammographic follow-up was available for a mean interval of 22 months for 22 patients, and no follow-up was available for one. Cancer at the incidental sites was diagnosed in one of the 30 patients with multiple foci. She was also shown to have cancer at the site originally questioned mammographically (index site). None of the remaining patients has had a diagnosis of malignancy at the incidental sites. CONCLUSION: Incidental enhancing foci are common in women undergoing breast MR imaging for questionable findings on mammography, occurring in 29% of our patients. Our results suggest that unless malignancy is diagnosed elsewhere in the breast, these incidental foci are unlikely to be malignant.     

Epidermal cyst of the breast: detection in a screening programme

Two cases of epidermal cyst of the breast, a rare benign condition, were detected during a 3-year period in a mammographic screening programme, from 57,954 screening examinations. It is not uncommon for epidermal cysts to be initially misdiagnosed. The mammographic, ultrasound and histological features are presented. It is recommended that these lesions be resected because they possibly have malignant potential.     

Analysis of 308 localisation breast biopsies in a New Zealand hospital

The authors have reviewed 308 localisation biopsies performed on nonpalpable breast lesions between 1986 and 1990. The initiating mammogram, specimen radiograph, radiologists' reports and histology reports have been analysed with respect to the nature of the mammographic lesion, patient age, breast parenchymal pattern and histologic diagnosis. The overall malignant biopsy rate was 28%. Malignancy was found in 67% of biopsies for architectural distortion, 27% for calcification and 25% for a mass lesion. Masses if malignant proved to have an invasive component in the majority of cases (29/33). Calcification if malignant was more often in situ carcinoma (25/44). 29% of malignant biopsies were in women under the age of 50 and approximately half of these had an invasive component. The histologic nature of benign lesions is presented with identification of those with proliferative breast disease. The results are compared with those of other recently published series. Implications are discussed for the management of minimally suspicious lesions and for screening mammography.     

Computer-aided detection of amorphous calcifications

OBJECTIVE: Computer-aided detection (CAD) systems have been used successfully to detect malignant calcifications on mammography, with sensitivities ranging from 86% to 99%. Amorphous calcifications are a subset of small indistinct calcifications of intermediate concern that have a 20% likelihood of being malignant and that are frequently overlooked on mammography. The purpose of our study was to determine the sensitivity of one commercially available CAD system for detecting amorphous calcifications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A commercially available CAD system evaluated mammograms of 82 patients with 85 mammographically detected and histologically sampled groups of amorphous calcifications (21 malignant, 14 high risk, and 50 benign). The sensitivity of the system for detecting the calcifications on at least one image of the two-view mammographic examination (case sensitivity) and on each individual mammographic image (image sensitivity) was determined. Findings were correlated with results from large core needle biopsy or surgical excision in each case. RESULTS: The CAD system detected amorphous calcifications in 43 of 85 cases (case sensitivity, 51%) and in 59 of 146 mammographic images (image sensitivity, 40%). The case sensitivities by histologic outcome were 57% for malignant calcifications, 29% for high-risk calcifications, and 54% for benign calcifications. An average of 2.0 false-positive marks were displayed per case. CONCLUSION: The CAD sensitivity for malignant amorphous calcifications is markedly lower than previously reported for all malignant calcifications. Breast imaging radiologists who use CAD systems should continue to search diligently for these difficult-to-detect lesions.     

Malignant-appearing microcalcifications at the lumpectomy site with the use of FloSeal hemostatic sealant

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to describe the benign mammographic calcifications that occur at the lumpectomy site after the use of a topical hemostatic sealant (FloSeal Matrix Hemostatic Sealant). These calcifications can have an appearance similar to that of recurrent carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Application of FloSeal hemostatic sealant in the lumpectomy cavity results in benign mammographic microcalcifications that could be misinterpreted as malignant.     

Radiological appearances of papillary breast lesions

This review illustrates the varied appearances of benign and malignant papillary breast tumours, as identified by a breast cancer-screening programme. The commonest mammographic appearance of a papillary tumour is as a soft-tissue mass, with calcification present in less than half of cases. When calcification is present the pattern is variable, but clusters of pleomorphic calcification can occur, sometimes resembling the mammographic appearance of invasive ductal carcinoma. Ultrasonography of papillary lesions typically shows a solid, oval, intraductal mass, often associated with duct dilatation. A cystic component is also commonly seen, and lesions may appear hypervascular on colour Doppler ultrasound. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a high sensitivity, but low specificity for detecting papillary tumours, and is useful in establishing the extent and distribution of lesions in patients with multiple papillomatosis. Despite a benign histology on core biopsy, an argument exists for complete surgical excision of all papillary tumours, as a significant proportion of papillomas will contain foci of atypia or overt malignant change.     

Simple test pattern for mammographic screen-film contact measurement

Test patterns to measure mammographic screen-film contact require the use of a much finer screen-wire mesh than can be used in test patterns for other diagnostic cassettes. The author has found that a radiographic grid of any line spacing equal to or exceeding 40 lines per inch can be used to test mammographic screen-film contact, making it unnecessary to purchase a special dedicated fine-mesh mammographic test pattern. However, the use of a magnification technique will often be required, since modern grids have mesh frequencies in excess of 100 lines per inch.     

Anatomical and histological approach to the radioraphic appearance of the breast (author's transl)]

The authors present first correlations between histology, anatomy and serial radiography of the breast, in order to establish a new understanding of the mammographic picture, with respect to the tridimensional histological structures. Several essential points are considered: - Mammographic pictures only show fibrous, connecting and fatty tissues. The epithelium of the galactophores is not shown, because of its low radio-opacity. Mammographic densities are due above all to fibrous connecting tissue, which has a high percentage of water. Benign or malignant breast tumors present with a proliferation of epithelium and connecting tissue, but only connecting tissue, more or less hydrated is shown on the mammographic picture. Many mammographic patterns are related to various superimposed fibrous strands, appearing as pseudotumoral opacities. The benign or malignant tumoral opacities are hidden or modified by multiple superimposed adjacent structures. - The mammographic patterns is related to the degree of hydratation and components of the connecting tissue.     

乳腺少见肿瘤的X线表现

目的：探讨乳腺少见肿瘤的X线表现特点。方法回顾性分析经本院病理证实的6例少见乳腺肿瘤的X线表现。结果6例乳腺肿瘤中,颗粒细胞瘤1例,角化棘皮瘤1例,多形性腺瘤1例,鳞状细胞癌1例,透明细胞汗腺癌1例,癌肉瘤1例。X线表现：3例良性肿瘤中,圆形或椭圆形2例、不规则形1例,边缘光滑2例、边缘模糊1例,3例均无伴钙化;3例恶性肿瘤中,圆形或椭圆形1例、不规则形2例,边缘模糊2例、边缘毛刺1例,2例伴钙化、1例无钙化。结论乳腺部分少见肿瘤X线表现具有特征性,大部分少见肿瘤无特征性,需综合分析及病理学检查确诊。     

Comparison of dynamic MR imaging of the breast and sestamibi scintimammography for evaluation of indeterminate mammographic lesions

The aim of this study was to compare Tc-99m sestamibi scintimammography and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging for the evaluation of indeterminate mammographic lesions. Forty patients with questionable mammographic findings were included in a prospective study. Thirty lesions were non-palpable. Mean lesion size was 1.6+/-0.7 cm (range 0.5-3.5 cm). Scintigraphy was considered as malignant when focal tracer accumulation was present. In MR imaging, lesions were classified according to their signal intensity time course: no enhancement or steady enhancement with low signal intensity (M0); steady enhancement with high signal intensity (M1); or rapid enhancement with plateau (M2) or washout (M3). Lesions classified as M2 or M3 were considered as suspicious for malignancy. Histopathologic evaluation was performed in 24 lesions. In 16 cases lesions were classified as benign from follow-up examinations (mean 24 months). Malignancies were proven in 14 patients (9 invasive carcinomas, 5 ductal carcinoma in situ). Sensitivity of MR imaging was 12 of 14 (86%) and sensitivity of scintimammography was 8 of 14 (57%). One of 26 benign lesions was false positive at MR imaging. Scintigraphy showed no false-positive results. In conclusion, magnetic resonance imaging provided high accuracy in evaluation of indeterminate mammographic lesions. Sensitivity of scintimammography was too low in detecting small carcinomas.     

The significance of nipple to lesion distance variability on mammography.

Nipple to lesion distance (NLD) was measured on at least two mammographic views of 17 malignant and 16 benign lesions. The difference between the maximum and minimal NLDs (maximum difference) was calculated for each. The mean maximum difference was 3.8 mm for the malignant lesions and 10.8 mm for the benign lesions (P less than 0.0001). A maximum difference in NLD of greater than 10 mm implies free mobility of a lesion and is strongly suggestive of a benign process. This new mammographic sign can be used as an additional factor in deciding whether open biopsy is necessary when needle biopsy has failed to provide a definitive diagnosis.     

高频乳腺X线片对乳腺良恶性病变钙化的分析

目的研究高频乳腺X线片对鉴别乳腺良、恶性病变钙化的意义。方法152例经临床和病理证实的女性乳腺良、恶性病变患者（87例良性病变和65例恶性病变）均经高频乳腺X线摄影。回顾性分析了所有患者的乳腺X线表现，并着重鉴别了乳腺良、恶性病变钙化的X线特征。结果在乳腺X线片上，大多数良性病变的钙化表现为散在分布的粗颗粒状、环状或斑片状灶，形态规则，密度较高，而恶性病变的钙化多呈簇状分布的细颗粒与导管型，诸如泥沙状、短棒状、针尖状灶，形态不规则，密度较低。结论乳腺病变钙化的X线表现随病变性质而不同，因此，高频乳腺X线片对鉴别乳腺良、恶性病变起重要作用。     

Differentiation of breast calcifications

Breast calcifications display a variety of characteristics, depending on the physiological process leading to their development. Because certain types of calcifications can be indicative of breast cancer, it is important that mammographers recognize which calcifications signify a benign or malignant process. In addition to discussing the causes of breast calcifications and describing ways to optimize their mammographic depiction, this article explains the differences in the mammographic appearances of various types of breast calcifications.     

Fibrosarcoma of the breast: mammographic findings in five cases.

The mammographic features of fibrosarcoma of the breast, a rare malignant tumor, have not been described. Accordingly, we reviewed the mammograms, pathology reports, and medical records of five women with this tumor. All cases had surgical biopsies and a diagnosis made by histologic evaluation. The age of the patients ranged from 48 to 79 years. Histologically, three of the five fibrosarcomas were thought to have arisen from phyllodes tumor, and four were palpable. On mammograms, the tumors were dense masses with largely indistinct margins, ranging from 1.5 to 7.0 cm in diameter. One contained calcified osseous elements suggesting osseous trabeculae. Although the osseous trabeculae in that tumor strongly suggested sarcoma, most of the tumors had a nonspecific appearance on mammograms. Fibrosarcomas of the breast have a nonspecific mammographic appearance. Surgical biopsy and histologic evaluation are necessary for definitive diagnosis.     

Papillary lesions of the breast: diagnostic imaging and contribution of percutaneous needle biopsy with 14G needle

PURPOSE: To evaluate the presence of suggestive mammographic, US, color-Doppler, RM findings of 33 PLB and to show the accuracy of the large-core biopsy in evaluating these lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review of imaging-guided large-core biopsy of 860 consecutive lesions revealed that PLB were diagnosed in 31/33 cases and 3 were suspicious papillary lesions. Surgical correlation was available for all these lesions. Mammography and US were performed in all patients, Color-Doppler in 13/33 and MR in 10/33. RESULTS: Histological findings by percutaneous biopsy demonstrated 26 (79%) benign, 3 (9%) atypical, and 4 (12%) malignant lesions. Histological findings after surgery confirmed the diagnosis for benign and malignant lesions, while of the 3 atypical lesions, 1 was benign and 2 were malignant. One encysted papillary carcinoma in situ at core-biopsy was classified as invasive papillary carcinoma after surgery. PLB were usually found (52%) in subareolar location and the mean size was 17 mm (range 5-60 mm). The most frequent mammographic appearance of benign PLB was of a well-defined (71%), oval (53%) mass. The microcalcifications had variable features; they were isolated in 3/27 (15%) cases and associated with masses in 4/27 (20%). The mammographic finding of papillary carcinoma was of a well-defined (50%) or ill-defined, oval (50%) or lobulated (50%) mass, but never of a spiculated mass. US finding of the benign PLB most commonly showed a well-defined (84%), oval (84%), complex solid/cystic (52%) mass with frequently (60%) posterior enhancement. US finding of papillary carcinoma was of a well-defined (50%) or ill-defined (50%), oval (50%) or lobulated (50%) mass, most commonly solid-inhomogenous-hypoechoic. Color-Doppler showed high blood flow in 8/10 benign PLB and in 2/3 malignant PLB. Contrast-enhanced MR imaging demonstrated usually well-circumscribed, round masses (71%). The intensity/time curve showed marked focal enhancement (peak signal intensity over 70% at the first minute) in both benign and malignant lesions. DISCUSSION: Often the patients with PBL were symptomatic (for presence of nipple discharge or palpable mass). 31/33 papillary lesions identified at the subsequent imaging-guided large-core biopsy and in the 3/33 remaining lesions percutaneous core-biopsy required a subsequent surgical biopsy for the atypical papillary lesions. US proved to have the highest sensitivity, showing the suggestive feature of a frond-like mass within a dilated duct, and color-Doppler demonstrated high blood flow (which should be considered in differential diagnosis of galactocele). Mammographic finding of papillary lesions was often consistent with benign lesions (fibroadenoma, cyst). MR confirmed the high vascularization of these lesions, showing marked enhancement of the solid component. CONCLUSIONS: US, with Color-Doppler, proved to be the most useful examination for the identification and demonstration of the solid component of these lesions, which, observed further diagnostic investigation. As no definite mammographic, sonographic or RM pattern could be identified to differentiate between benign and malignant PLB, core-biopsy was required. Percutaneous biopsy has shown to be reliable in the diagnosis of benign and malignant PLB (without any false negative): infact, any atypical lesions require surgical examination. The framing of benign and malignant PLB with imaging and core-biopsy was useful because the frequent association of benign PLB with concurrent or subsequent breast carcinoma suggests surgical excision and radiological follow-up.     

Mammographic features of nonpalpable spiculated lesions

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the mammographic features of nonpalpable spiculated lesions in order to find differentiating findings between malignant and benign pathologies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standard mammograms of 27 patients with 28 nonpalpable spiculated lesions were evaluated retrospectively. Two dimensions of dense centre of the spiculated lesions were measured and the mean dimensions were compared in analysing the malignant and benign features. Fine radiolucent lines between dense spicules were noted. RESULTS: Thirteen spiculated lesions (46.4%) were malignant and 15 were benign. Eleven malignant lesions (84.6%) have dense centre larger than 5 mm, whereas only four benign lesions (26.7%) had a dense core larger than 5 mm. There were fine radiolucent lines parallel to dense spicules in 5 malignant lesions (38.5%) and in 13 benign lesions (86.7%). Only one invasive carcinoma and one radial scar with florid ductal epithelial hyperplasia and papillomatosis had punctate calcifications. The sensitivity and specificity of the dense core larger than 5 mm for malignancy were 84.6% and 73.3%, respectively. The sensitivity of radiolucent lines for benign lesions was 86.7% and the specificity was 61.5%. CONCLUSION: When the dense centre of a nonpalpable spiculated lesion is larger than 5 mm, the probability of malignant pathology increases. The fine radiolucent lines between dense spicules may indicate benign etiology. However, there is no reliable mammographic feature differentiating benign spiculated lesions from carcinomas. Therefore, all of them should be diagnosed pathologically unless they are postsurgical.