Interstitial laser thermotherapy (ILT) of breast cancer

Aim

To find out if ILT can be used as radical treatment of breast cancer.

Method

Twenty-four patients, aged 39–84 (mean 61), with invasive breast cancer were treated with ILT. All underwent mammography, ultrasound and core biopsy before treatment. The tumour was an invasive ductal carcinoma in 15 patients, a lobular carcinoma in eight and lobular–ductal cancer in one. Average tumour diameter was 14 mm on ultrasound (5–35). Patients were treated in the outpatient clinics under local anaesthesia. Probes were placed under ultrasound guidance, in 19 patients, and ILT was performed with a diode laser at a steady-state temperature of 48 °C for 30 min using temperature feedback control. Standard surgical excision was performed 12 (4–23) days after ILT and was preceded by Doppler ultrasound.

Results

Treatment-induced necrosis of invasive cancer was 33% (range 0–100) and was complete in three patients. At follow-up before surgery, the extent of laser damage could not be judged with ultrasound, although abolished tumour blood flow was demonstrated after treatment resulting in large necroses. Efficacy of treatment varied negatively with tumour size. The inefficacy of ILT was mainly due to the underestimation of tumour size by mammography and ultrasound and the shortcomings of these methods to demonstrate tumour borders, tumour irregularity and carcinoma in situ (CIS). ILT was well tolerated. Five patients had breast tenderness, and three patients had pain, during the first day after treatment. Small skin necroses were observed in two patients.

Conclusion

Small breast cancers can be treated radically with ILT. The method may become useful in the treatment of breast cancer but needs further refinement, even for small well-defined breast cancers, if it is going to be employed for radical treatment.     

Initial Experience with Magnetic Resonance-Guided Vacuum-Assisted Biopsy in Korean Women with Breast Cancer

Purpose

The aim of this study is to describe our initial experience with magnetic resonance (MR)-guided biopsy and to determine the malignancy rate of additional lesions identified by MR only in Korean women with breast cancer.

Methods

A retrospective review identified 22 consecutive patients with breast cancer who had undergone MR-guided vacuum-assisted biopsies (VAB) of MR-only identified lesions from May 2009 to October 2011.We evaluated the rate of compliance, the technical success for MR-guided VAB and the MR imaging findings of the target lesions. VAB histology was compared with surgical histology and follow-up imaging findings.

Results

The biopsy recommendations for MR-only identified lesions were accepted in 46.8% (22/47) of patients. One of 22 procedures failed due to the target''s posterior location. Among 21 MR-guided VAB procedures, the target lesions were considered as a mass in 12 cases and a nonmass enhancement in nine cases. VAB histology revealed malignancies in 14% (3/21) of cases, high-risk lesions in 24% (5/21) and benign lesions in 62% (13/21). Eleven cases (52%, 11/21) had a positive surgical correlation, and one of them was upgraded from atypical ductal hyperplasia to invasive ductal carcinoma. In the remaining 10 lesions, follow-up breast ultrasound and mammography were available (range, 15-44 months; mean, 32.1 months) and did not show suspicious lesions. The final malignancy rate was 19% (4/21).

Conclusion

MR-guided VAB for MR-only identified lesions yielded a 19% malignancy rate in Korean women with breast cancer. MR-guided VAB helps surgeons avoid an unnecessary wide excision or additional excisional biopsy.     

MR-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy: is it an essential technique?

Background  In the United States and Europe, MR-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) is required for MR-only visible suspicious lesions that cannot be identified with mammography or ultrasonography. However, it is controversial as to whether MR-guided VAB is essential or not in Japan. The purpose of this study was to clarify the frequency of malignancy among the patients that underwent MR-guided VAB, and to discuss the need for this technique in Japan. Methods  This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of our hospital. A retrospective review was performed of 30 consecutive patients who had undergone MR-guided 11-gauge VAB. The biopsies were performed on a 1.5 T MR scanner using a commercially available biopsy system. All lesions seen with MRI could not be detected by mammography and second-look ultrasonography. Results  All 30 lesions were assessed as category 4 or 5. The average lesion size of a mass enhancement before biopsy was 0.7 cm, and the average lesion size of a non-mass-like enhancement was 2.3 cm. The average number of cores of VAB was 19. The median time required to perform the VAB procedure was 35 min. The biopsy was successfully performed without important side effects in all patients. Histopathological findings were invasive ductal carcinoma in one (3%); ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in seven (23%); and benign in 22 (73%). In one case, atypical ductal hyperplasia at VAB was upgraded to DCIS at surgical excision. Conclusion  MR-guided VAB can be performed safely and it is needed for MR-only visible suspicious lesions in Japan.     

Open-configuration MR-guided microwave thermocoagulation therapy for metastatic liver tumors from breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Liver metastases from breast cancer are associated with a poor prognosis, however, local control with microwave thermocoagulation therapy has been used in certain subgroups of these patients in the past decade. In this study, open-configuration magnetic resonance (MR) -guided microwave thermocoagulation therapy was used for metastatic liver tumors from breast cancer, and the efficacy of this treatment was assessed. METHODS: Between June 2000 and April 2004, we used MR-guided microwave thermocoagulation therapy on 11 nodules in 8 patients with metastatic liver tumors from breast cancer. The procedure was carried out under general anesthesia. A 0.5 T open-configuration MR system and a microwave coagulator were used. Near-real-time MR images and real-time temperature images were collected and displayed on the monitor. The MR-compatible thoracoscope was used and combined with MR imaging guidance. Navigation software, a 3D Slicer, was installed and customized. RESULTS: The customized navigation software displayed near-real-time MR images. The percutaneous puncture into the tumors was successful in all cases. No mortality or major complications occurred as a result of the procedures. Five of the 8 patients are alive with new metastatic foci with a mean observation period of 25.9 months. CONCLUSIONS: We developed several devices to allow safe, easy, and accurate MR-guided microwave thermocoagulation therapy of liver tumors. Open-configuration MR-guided microwave thermocoagulation therapy appears to be a feasible method for tumor ablation of metastatic liver tumors from breast cancer.     

Granular cell tumor of the breast: A case report describing dynamic MR mammography

A case of granular cell tumor of the breast in a 36-year-old woman is reported. The patient presented with a hard mass, 1.5 cm in diameter in the upper-outer quadrant of the left breast. Physical examination and ultrasonography suggested the presence of breast carcinoma. An aspiration biopsy cytology (ABC) specimen was evaluated as class II, and dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) mammography indicated a benign tumor. Granular cell tumor was finally diagnosed on examination of an excisional biopsy specimen. Granular cell tumor of the breast can mimic breast carcinoma on physical examination, mammography, ultrasonography, and even gross inspection. Dynamic MR mammography has the potential distinguish this condition from carcinoma. Awareness of this disease and prudent use of diagnostic procedures, including MR mammography, will help prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary surgery.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of the metal clip in a breast: safety ana its availability as a negative marker

PURPOSE: This study assesses magnetic resonance (MR) safety of the stainless-steel clip inserted after stereotactic-guided directional vacuum-assisted biopsy (DVAB) of the breast, and evaluates its imaging value. METHODS: We used a sausage as a substitute breast and inserted the clip into it. The MR images of the substitute were scanned using a breast coil, and it was then dissected. After the substitute experimentation, MR scanning of the breast was performed using a dynamic contrast enhanced technique, in which a clip was placed after DVAB for suspicion of ductal carcinoma was seen as grouped amorphous calcifications on mammography. RESULTS: On every magnetic resonance image of the substitute, the clip was seen as a spotty signal void, with no surrounding artifact. There was no movement and no evidence of increased clip temperature on dissected of the substitute, confirming the safety of breast MR with a clip in place. There was no patient complaint of feeling heat or pain during the MRI examination and there were only biopsy scars on the surgically excised breast specimen material. On the breast MR images, a spreading region of the tumor adjoining the position of the signal void was identified as an early enhancing lesion. CONCLUSIONS: The safety and reliability of breast MR examination using a mammotome clip was demonstrated by both the mock examination and the breast examination. It is possible to localize of tumor spread regions based on the marker position using the clip as a negative signal marker.     

Magnetic resonance-guided percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy for liver metastases of breast cancer in a case

Real-time magnetic resonance (MR) imaging enables the application of percutaneous microwave coagulation for high-risk patients with metastatic liver tumours. The tumours, local vessels and bile ducts can be observed clearly in three-dimensional sections and a sufficient surgical margin can be confirmed on the MR image even during the coagulation procedure. MR-guided percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy is effective for treatment of not only primary liver tumours but also metastatic breast cancers in the liver, which are not diffuse but discrete, and difficult to treat with only chemo-and endocrine therapy. We report a 44-year-old Japanese woman who underwent modified radical mastectomy for right breast cancer (T1c N0 M0 Stage I). Three years after the operation, she developed two metastatic liver tumours and was treated by MR-guided percutaneous microwave coagulation, achieving a complete response (CR) without any recurrence for 15 months as of the present. The most beneficial aspect of MR-guided percutaneous microwave coagulation is its safety. It is only minimally invasive and can be repeated. This therapy, therefore promises to prolong the disease free period. Additional clinical trials will be valuable to delineate the effectiveness and safety of MR-guided percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy for controlling the liver metastases of breast cancer.     

多种MR成像技术在胰腺癌诊断及其可切除性探讨

目的 探讨多种MR成像技术对胰腺癌诊断及其手术可切除性判断的价值。 方法 18例经手术和/或病理证实的胰腺癌患者进行了磁共振检查,采用的磁共振序列分别为:GRE T_1WI,TSE T_2WI,脂肪抑制GRE T_1WI,延迟增强GRE T_1WI,磁共振胰胆管造影(MRCP)和三维动态对比增强MRA(3D DCE MRA)。肿瘤累及胰周血管根据程度依次分为0～4级。 结果 18例胰腺癌肿瘤病灶,在GRE T_1WI上均呈稍低信号,TSE T_2WI上均呈稍高信号。脂肪抑制GRE T_1WI上所有肿瘤均呈明 显低信号,延迟增强GRE T_1WI上肿瘤表现环形不规则强化14例,均匀强化4例,但均低于正常胰腺强化。MRCP显示胆总管与主胰管均扩张表现为典型“双管征”8例。在3D DCE MRA上,根据肿瘤与血管周径接触面>1/2为不能切除的标准,则门静脉受累56％(10/18),脾静脉受累39％(7/18),肠系膜上静脉受累67％(12/18),腹腔干及主要分支受累22％(4/18)及肠系膜上动脉受累17％(3/18)。MRI判断2例可完全手术切除,与手术结果相符。 结论 MRI快速扫描序列、脂肪抑制技术、MRCP及3D DCE MRA四大MR成像技术的综合应用能提供胰腺癌诊断及手术可切除性判断的必需信息,可以达到一步到位的诊断目标。     

MR-guided laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) of liver tumours: experimental and clinical data

MR-guided laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy (LITT) is a percutaneous, minimally invasive treatment modality for treating liver lesions/metastases, soft tissue tumours and musculoskeletal lesions. In this group, MR-guided LITT is currently performed under local anaesthesia on an out-patient basis with a specially designed saline-cooled laser application system. Nd:YAG laser (1064?nm wave length) was used for tumour ablation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using both open and closed MR units has proven clinically effective in validating the exact positioning of optical fibres. It also allows for real time-monitoring of thermal effects and the evaluation of treatment-induced coagulation necrosis. In liver tumours, percutaneous MR-guided LITT achieves a local tumour control rate of 98.7% at 3 months post-therapy and 97.3% at 6 months with metastases smaller than 5?cm in diameter. The mean survival rate for 1259 patients with 3440 metastases treated with 14 694 laser applications at the institute (calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method) was 4.4 years (95% confidence interval: 4.1–4.8?years) and median survival was 3.00 years. No statistically significant difference in survival rates was observed in patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer vs metastases from other primary tumours. The rate of clinically relevant side effects and complications requiring secondary treatment was 2.2%. The clinical use of MR guided LITT (size<5?cm, number<5) is justified in patients with liver metastases of colorectal and/or breast cancers if the inclusion criteria are carefully observed. Further indications for MR guided LITT include recurrent cancer lesions in the head and neck, lung metastases and bone and soft tissue lesions.     

MR-guided laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) of liver tumours: experimental and clinical data.

MR-guided laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy (LITT) is a percutaneous, minimally invasive treatment modality for treating liver lesions/metastases, soft tissue tumours and musculoskeletal lesions. In this group, MR-guided LITT is currently performed under local anaesthesia on an out-patient basis with a specially designed saline-cooled laser application system. Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm wave length) was used for tumour ablation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using both open and closed MR units has proven clinically effective in validating the exact positioning of optical fibres. It also allows for real time-monitoring of thermal effects and the evaluation of treatment-induced coagulation necrosis. In liver tumours, percutaneous MR-guided LITT achieves a local tumour control rate of 98.7% at 3 months post-therapy and 97.3% at 6 months with metastases smaller than 5 cm in diameter. The mean survival rate for 1259 patients with 3440 metastases treated with 14 694 laser applications at the institute (calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method) was 4.4 years (95% confidence interval: 4.1-4.8 years) and median survival was 3.00 years. No statistically significant difference in survival rates was observed in patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer vs metastases from other primary tumours. The rate of clinically relevant side effects and complications requiring secondary treatment was 2.2%. The clinical use of MR guided LITT (size < 5 cm, number < 5) is justified in patients with liver metastases of colorectal and/or breast cancers if the inclusion criteria are carefully observed. Further indications for MR guided LITT include recurrent cancer lesions in the head and neck, lung metastases and bone and soft tissue lesions.     

Breast microcalcifications studied with 3D contrast-enhanced high-field magnetic resonance imaging: more accuracy in the diagnosis of breast cancer

AIMS: To evaluate the reliability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed with three-dimensional (3D) sequences in mammographically detected breast microcalcifications. METHODS: During an 8-month period, a group of 28 patients with mammographically detected microcalcifications suspicious for malignancy underwent MRI. Their ages ranged from 33 to 65 years. Examinations were performed with a 1.5 Tesia MR unit and a 3D T1 weighted sequence. Images were interpreted on the basis of morphologic parameters and dynamic behavior in the uptake of contrast medium (Gd-DTPA). Histologic findings were considered as the gold reference. RESULTS: Histologic analysis revealed invasive carcinoma in 7 patients, 3 of which were associated with foci of lobular carcinoma in situ. Intraductal carcinoma was diagnosed in 8 patients, 1 of which was associated with a tubular carcinoma. Benign lesions accounted for 13 patients. All the neoplastic conditions showed enhancement on MR images (sensitivity, 100%), whereas early and intense enhancement was noted in 5 of 13 benign lesions (specificity, 61%). The positive predictive value was 75% and negative predictive value, 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Although an overlap in the enhancement behavior of malignant and some benign lesions is clearly evident, a careful interpretation of MR images is helpful in detecting and mainly ruling out breast cancer combined with mammographically suspicious microcalcifications.     

The evolving non-surgical ablation of breast cancer: Mr Guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS)

MRgFUS (MR guided Focused Ultrasound) being one of the non-surgical ablation techniques. We have already achieved favorable results in the past clinical study of MRgFUS to local treatment. New twenty one cases of invasive/noninvasive ductal carcinoma of the breast were treated by MRgFUS. Core needle biopsy led to the definitive diagnosis. All the patients were positioned prone in the treatment, using the therapeutic apparatus such as Signa Excite 1.5T for MRI and ExAblate 2000 version 2.6/4.1 for FUS. Irradiation was not applied to all the 21 cases after MRgFUS. Axillary lymph node metastases were examined by dissection or sentinel lymph node biopsy. Recurrence or abnormal area of residual cancer was treated with Re-MRgFUS or ablated by usual surgery. All the 21 cases were from women patients. Median age is 54 years (range: 34–72). Median diameter of tumor is 15 mm (range: 5–50). As for the numbers of treatment, 17 patients were treated once, and 4 patients twice. Median period of observation is 14 months (range: 3–26). One case of recurrence of pure mucinous carcinoma was experienced. No evidences of recurrence were obtained through MRI for the rest of 20 cases. Skin burns were found in 2 cases. The patient had dimple on the skin immediately above tumor. In conclusion, MRgFUS is a good mean as local control of breast cancer, but the indicated case must be selected strictly. And it needs to observe longer the patients who ware treated by MRgFUS alone.     

乳腺X线摄影检出的恶性微钙化在MR上的影像表现

目的:探讨乳腺X线摄影检出的恶性微钙化病变在MR上的影像表现。方法:回顾性分析乳腺X线摄影上表现为微钙化且手术病理证实为乳腺癌的80例患者资料,均行乳腺MR检查及X线引导下金属丝定位。分析其X线、MR表现及两者的关系。统计学采用卡方检验或Fisher's 精确检验。结果:共83个病灶,导管内癌45个,浸润性癌38个。X线表现:67个为单纯钙化,16个钙化伴局部密度增高;细小多形性（49个）及簇状分布（35个）是最常见的钙化形态及分布方式。MR表现:非肿块样强化57个,肿块样强化16个,未见异常强化10个。92.9%（26/28）的段样分布钙化MR上表现为段样分布强化。段样分布钙化灶在MR上以段样分布强化更常见（P=0.000）。81.3%（13/16）的肿块样强化见于簇状分布钙化。肿块样强化更多见于簇状分布的钙化灶（P=0.000）。MR上假阴性钙化灶多见于簇状分布钙化灶,但没有显著差异（P=0.061）。结论:恶性微钙化在MR上的强化类型以非肿块样强化常见,少部分表现为肿块样强化。其强化表现与钙化在X线上的分布方式有关。     

鼻咽癌海绵窦侵犯的MRI评价

目的探讨鼻咽癌侵犯海绵窦的发生率、主要侵犯途径及MRI特点。方法经病理证实并经MRI检查的鼻咽癌患者141例,使用1．5T超导MR机进行检查,增强扫描前行快速自旋回波（FSE）序列横断面T1WI、T2WI扫描,增强后采用快速扰相梯度回波（FSPGR）脂肪抑制序列横断面及冠状面扫描。由两位经验丰富的放射科医师读片。结果141例患者中,有39例（49侧）海绵窦受侵犯,发生率为27．7％。卵圆孔为最常见的单一侵犯途径,有18侧仅通过卵圆孔侵犯海绵窦,占36．7％;多途径侵犯海绵窦的患者中,有6侧（12．2％）经卵圆孔与破裂孔侵犯海绵窦,为最常见共同途径。最常见的MRI表现为海绵窦增大伴异常强化（22侧）,其次为海绵窦壁局限性或弥漫性增厚和（或）海绵窦内血管、神经结构紊乱或模糊不清（18侧）,海绵窦局部形成肿块者9侧。结论卵圆孔是鼻咽癌侵犯海绵窦的主要途径。MRI能有效、准确地判断鼻咽癌侵犯海绵窦的情况,对指导临床采取正确治疗措施具有重要价值。     

Endoscopic management of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma: long-term experience

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and long-term results of endoscopic management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) were examined. The authors evaluated the accuracy of endoscopic biopsy in determining tumor grade in the subset of patients who underwent open surgical excision. METHODS: Between 1987 and 2001, 50 patients (17 with a solitary kidney) underwent ureteroscopy and biopsy of upper tract TCC. Eleven patients underwent ureterectomy or nephroureterectomy shortly after endoscopic biopsy. There was no follow-up for nine patients. Thirty patients underwent endoscopic ablation of their primary tumor with laser or electrofulguration at the time of the initial biopsy and were followed with close endoscopic surveillance at 3-4-month intervals. RESULTS: For the 30 patients who underwent endoscopic ablation, mean follow-up was 38 months (range, 4-106 months). There was an average of 3.4 recurrences, with an average time to first recurrence of 7 months. Ten of the 30 patients underwent open resection during follow-up. Six patients exhibited tumor progression at follow-up. During the follow-up period, one patient died of recurrent disease, and six died of other causes. Endoscopic biopsy accurately predicted the tumor grade for 8 of the 9 patients who had open tumor resection within 2 months of their last biopsy and for 10 of the 11 patients who had open resection shortly after their initial endoscopic biopsy (overall accuracy, 18 of 20 [90%]). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic treatment of focal low-grade TCC of the upper urinary tract is feasible and safe, provided that vigilant follow-up and endoscopic surveillance are performed. Endoscopic biopsy provides accurate information regarding tumor grade.     

Results of re-excisional biopsy of the primary tumor in preparation for definitive irradiation of patients with early stage breast cancer

From December 1977 through November 1984, 251 patients underwent a re-excisional biopsy procedure in preparation for definitive radiation therapy because of uncertainty in the extent of the initial biopsy procedure. Analysis of the cases was limited to patients with AJC Clinical Stages I or II breast cancer and whose initial biopsy procedure demonstrated invasive carcinoma. Sixty-three percent (158/251) of the 251 re-excisions were positive for residual tumor, and 37% (93/251) did not show any residual tumor. Of the positive re-excisions, 85% (134/158) revealed an invasive component of tumor; 15% (24/158) revealed only non-invasive disease. For patients whose initial biopsy was described as incisional only, 97% (64/66) had residual tumor; 51% (94/185) of patients with an initial excisional biopsy had residual tumor. Because of the extremely high rate of positive re-excision in patients with an initial incisional biopsy, these cases were excluded from the remainder of the analysis. When the pathologic margin of the initial biopsy specimen was described as positive, 60% (15/25) had residual tumor on re-excision and 49% (79/160) when the pathology margin was unknown. Of the clinical T1 lesions, 45% (57/126) had positive re-excision, and of the clinical T2 lesions, 63% (37/59) were positive. When a post-biopsy mammogram (i.e. following initial biopsy procedure but before re-excision) showed residual microcalcifications, 86% (12/14) had residual tumor found in the re-excision specimen. Based on these findings, indications for re-excisional biopsy of the primary tumor are: initial incisional biopsy, positive or unknown pathologic margin on an initial excisional biopsy specimen, or residual microcalcifications on post-biopsy mammogram. When inked margins were negative on pathological examination of an initial excisional biopsy specimen, re-excision of the primary tumor bed was not recommended. These results suggest that a re-excisional biopsy procedure may be an important component of the overall treatment approach to assure removal of all tumor, and should continue to be used when indicated prior to definitive irradiation of the breast for early stage breast cancer.     

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with male breast carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is now a widely implemented technique for evaluating the axilla in women with early stage breast carcinoma. Men who develop breast carcinoma are at similar risk as their female counterparts of developing the morbidities related to axillary dissection. SLNB is aimed at preventing these morbidities. In this study, the authors evaluated the role of SLNB in the treatment of men with early stage breast carcinoma. METHODS: Among the 1692 patients who underwent SLNB at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 16 men with breast carcinoma were identified. The charts and records of these 16 patients were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 57.2 years. The mean tumor size was 1.3 cm. In 15 of 16 patients (93.75%) and in all patients with T1 tumors, one or more sentinel lymph nodes were successfully identified. SLNB failed in one patient, who had a T2 tumor (3 cm). Ten of the 15 patients had negative sentinel lymph nodes (66.7%). Four of these patients had no additional lymph nodes removed, whereas six patients had additional lymph nodes removed, all of which were negative. Two patients (13.3%) had positive sentinel lymph nodes on frozen-section analysis and underwent immediate completion axillary dissection: Both had additional positive lymph nodes. Three patients (20.0%) had positive sentinel lymph nodes on further sectioning or immunohistochemistry, and two patients underwent completion axillary dissection: Neither patient had additional positive lymph nodes. The third patient had one immunohistochemically positive lymph node and did not undergo completion axillary dissection. CONCLUSIONS: SLNB for patients with breast carcinoma was as successful in men as it has been shown to be in women and may be offered as a management option to men with early stage breast carcinoma by surgeons who are experienced with the technique.     

Prospective evaluation of pectoralis muscle invasion of breast cancer by MR imaging

BACKGROUND: Assessment of pectoralis muscle invasion is important for treatment planning for breast cancer. We evaluated the usefulness of breast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for the detection of tumor invasion of the pectoralis muscle in breast cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 306 breast MR examinations were performed preoperatively. Three-dimensional gradient echo sequences, at a section thickness of 1.5 or 2 mm were obtained with administration of gadolinium-DTPA. All patients underwent surgery. RESULTS: In 33 breasts, disruption of the fat plane between tumor and muscle was noted. Seven of 33 cases showed muscle enhancement contiguous to enhanced tumors. Pathology reports indicated that 5 of 7 of the tumors involved muscle invasion. Of the 2 false positive cases, one showed muscle enhancement because of a previous biopsy, and the other was incorrectly interpreted as showing muscle enhancement. Of the 26 breasts which did not demonstrate muscle enhancement, none were found at surgery to have tumor involvement. CONCLUSION: Enhancement of the pectoralis muscle correlates well with muscle invasion, but there are a few potential pitfalls. Disruption of the fat plane between tumor and muscle, without muscle enhancement, might not indicate tumor involvement of the pectoralis muscle.     

宫颈癌放射治疗疗效的MRI评价

目的分析宫颈癌放射治疗中与后MRI表现,探讨MRI成像对宫颈癌放射治疗疗效评估的价值。方法23例经病理证实的宫颈癌患者在放射治疗前、中及后不同时间段行盆腔的轴位T1WI,轴位及矢状位T2WI,冠状位SPIR,以及GDDTPA增强后T1WI的轴位、冠状位、矢状位扫描。在MRI图像上观察肿瘤在放射治疗前、后的大小及信号改变。结果外照射结束时,9例肿瘤缩小率在85%以下,14例>85%。T1WI增强扫描7例见肿瘤内出现“无强化区”,其中6例放射治疗结束后有肿瘤残留;16例肿瘤未见“无强化区”,其中13例肿瘤缩小率>85%,仅2例放射治疗后有肿瘤残留。MRI图像上,肿瘤痊愈表现为T2WI、SPIR序列呈低信号,T1WI增强扫描轻微强化或无强化。结论MRI成像可反应肿瘤对射线的疗效。外照射结束时肿瘤容积缩小程度与T1WI增强肿瘤内有无“无强化区”是预测放射治疗效果的重要观测指标。