Effect of adding screening ultrasonography to screening mammography on patient recall and cancer detection rates: A retrospective study in Japan

Purpose

To determine whether adding screening ultrasonography to screening mammography can reduce patient recall rates and increase cancer detection rates.

Materials and methods

We analyzed the results of mammography and ultrasonography breast screenings performed at the Total Health Evaluation Center Tsukuba, Japan, between April 2011 and March 2012. We also reviewed the modalities and results of diagnostic examinations from women with mammographic abnormalities who visited the Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital for further testing.

Results

Of 11,753 women screened, cancer was diagnosed in 10 (0.22%) of the 4529 participants who underwent mammography alone, 23 (0.37%) of the 6250 participants who underwent ultrasonography alone, and 5 (0.51%) of the 974 participants who underwent mammography and ultrasonography. The recall rate due to mammographic abnormalities was 4.9% for women screened only with mammography and 2.6% for those screened with both modalities. The cancer detection rate was 0.22% for women screened only with mammography (positive predictive value, 4.5%) and 0.31% for those screened with both modalities (positive predictive value, 12.0%).Of the 211 lesions presenting as mammographic abnormalities investigated further, diagnostic ultrasonography found no abnormalities in 63 (29.9%) and benign findings in 69 (33.7%). The rest 36.4% needed mammography, cytological or histological examinations or follow-up in addition to diagnostic ultrasonography.

Conclusions

It is possible to reduce the recall rate in screening mammography by combining mammography and ultrasonography for breast screening.     

Mammography screening for breast cancer: Four years of nationwide screening in Finland

Biennial breast cancer screening with two-view screen-film mammography started on a nationwide basis in Finland in January 1987. Women have been invited by birth year cohort to attend a free-of-charge examination. The program has progressively expanded to include two or three new birth year cohorts yearly of women between 50 and 59 years of age. Participation has averaged 89% and the breast cancer detection rate has ranged from 3.8 to 3.3 per thousand compared with an expected annual incidence of breast cancer in this age group of 1.6 per thousand. The positive predictive value has increased from 33% to 53%. Results to date, collected by the radiologists responsible for each screening centre, indicate an acceptable sensitivity and specificity for the program. Specificity is much better than that which had generally been considered possible or practical. Double reading of all films, intensive training in both mammography and mammography screening, and careful evaluation of ongoing results by the radiologists involved are all believed to be important factors leading to a high sensitivity and specificity of mammography screening. Correspondence to: M. Pamilo     

The role of self-evaluation and education of radiographers involved in a breast cancer screening program at Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka

IntroductionEarly breast cancer detection can be achieved by enforcing the quality of mammography screening program. Hence, proper breast positioning is necessary. Systematic education of radiographers on mammographic positioning is a prerequisite for obtaining high-quality mammograms. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the importance of self-evaluation and education of radiographers involved in a breast cancer screening program.MethodsThe First School of Mammographic Positioning was organized in 2018 at Clinical Hospital Center (CHC) Rijeka and 24 radiographers included in the screening program attended. Four months after the School, an analysis and comparison of randomly selected mammograms was performed. Retrospective analysis was performed, and two sets of collected data were gathered from the period before and after the education. The quality criteria for evaluation were set and the mammograms were independently analyzed by two radiographers with experience in mammography. The chi-square test was used to perform statistical analysis.ResultsResults showed a statistically significant difference in the quality of mammograms before and after training for all criteria (p < 0.05).ConclusionSelf-evaluation and education of radiographers at the CHC Rijeka have led to a significant progress in image quality.Implications for practiceResults of this work imply that there is a strong need to formalize breast imaging education and the need to implement systematic education at the national level in Croatia.     

Previous imaging findings of breast cancers that occurred in combined screening negatives

Purpose

To retrospectively evaluate previous imaging findings of breast cancers that occurred in women whose combined screening using both mammography and ultrasonography was negative.

Materials and methods

A search of the institutional database identified 65 patients with breast cancers who had comparable previous negative screening mammography and ultrasonography (BI-RADS category 1 or 2) within 2 years. We classified each case as true or false negative. The previous imaging findings and the final outcome were analyzed.

Results

Among 65 cases, 42 (65%) were true negatives, 23 (35%) were false negatives. The abnormalities of false negatives were underestimated in 16 (70%) and unrecognized in 7 (30%). The findings were calcifications (n = 8) or a mass (n = 6) on mammography, a mass (n = 5) or a non-mass (n = 3) on ultrasonography and a density on mammography correlated with non-mass on ultrasonography (n = 1). Ductal carcinoma in situ among false and true negatives accounted for 5 (22%) and 7 (17%), respectively. Symptomatic cancers among false and true negatives were 6 (26%) and 13 (31%), respectively.

Conclusion

Breast cancers that rarely occurred in combined screening negatives are often retrospectively seen as minimal abnormalities on previous imaging studies.     

The negative predictive value of breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging in noncalcified BIRADS 3 lesions

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine whether breast MRI can provide a sufficient NPV to safely rule out malignancy in mammographic BIRADS 3 lesions.

Materials and methods

In a 3-year consecutive mammographic examination study 176 out of 4391 patients had a lesion classified as BIRADS 3. 76 out of 176 patients underwent breast MRI as diagnostic work-up. Lesions which MRI classified as BIRADS 1 or 2 were considered negative for malignancy. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were calculated.

Results

In 27 out of 76 (35.5%) patients MRI showed no enhancement and was classified as BIRADS 1. In 25 (32.9%) patients MRI showed focal or mass enhancement classified as BIRADS 2. In these 52 (68.4%) patients no malignancy was found during at least 2 years study follow-up. The other 24 (31.6%) patients had a lesion classified as BIRADS ≥3. Thirteen of these 24 lesions were malignant by pathology. MRI had a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 75–100%), specificity of 82.5% (95% CI: 71–91%), PPV of 54.2% (95% CI: 33–74%) and NPV of 100% (95% CI: 93–100%).

Conclusion

Breast MRI should be used in a diagnostic strategy for the work-up of noncalcified BIRADS 3 lesions. Malignancy is ruled out with a very high level of confidence in the majority of patients (68%), herewith avoiding invasive diagnostic procedures.     

彩色多普勒超声对良恶性乳腺肿瘤的研究

目的：探讨彩色多普勒超声（ColourDopplerUltrasonography．CDU）在判断乳腺肿物良恶性和腋淋巴结转移的价值。材料和方法：作者分析了58例乳腺实性肿物的彩色多普勒超声和临床怀疑乳腺癌且CDU为阳性的30例病人的腋淋巴结CDU扫查结果。结果：发现34例乳腺癌中26例CDU有阳性表现，而24例良性肿物则均无阳性结果。得出CDU对乳腺癌的敏感性为77％，特异性100％，阳性符合率100％，肿癌直径小于1cm和浸润性小叶癌的CDU阳性率最低。对照术后病理，10例腋淋巴结CDU阳性者均已有淋巴结浸润，另有4例已受累的淋巴结CDU为阴性。CDU对腋淋巴结受累敏感性为71％，特异性100％，阳性符合率100％。结论：CDU对乳腺肿物良恶性以及腋淋巴结转移的判断上有重要的应用价值。     

高频超声对乳腺小肿块鉴别诊断的价值

目的:评价高频超声二维征象及彩色多普勒血流指标在乳腺小肿块鉴别诊断中的价值。方法:使用高频超声诊断仪观察196个长径小于2 cm的乳腺肿块的二维超声特征(包括病灶形态,病灶内部,病灶后方有无衰减及有无微小钙化灶),然后使用彩色多普勒对病变进行多普勒血流参数测定(包括血流丰富度、PSV、RI、PI)。比较二维超声征象及彩色多普勒血流参数在乳腺良、恶性肿块中的差异并对其诊断敏感性、特异性加以分析。结果:病灶形态、病灶内部、病灶后方及有无微小钙化灶良、恶性病变间均有显著性差异。恶性肿块PSV、RI、PI值均明显高于良性肿块。结论:彩色多普勒超声血流参数测定对乳腺良、恶肿块的鉴别诊断具有重要的参考价值,与肿块的二维声像图征象相结合可提高乳腺肿块的超声诊断准确率。     

乳腺癌筛查的现状及进展

乳腺癌是严重威胁女性健康的主要疾病之一,近年来乳腺癌发病率逐年升高.乳腺癌筛查的方法 包括临床乳腺检查、乳腺X 线摄影、乳腺超声及乳腺磁共振成像等,各种方法 的检出效能不一.目前,国外已有较系统的乳腺癌筛查方法.我国女性乳腺特点及乳腺癌发病特点与西方国家不同,因此不能照搬国外模式.我国目前还没有筛查乳腺癌的指南,也没有系统的关于乳腺癌筛查的评价指标.     

Indeterminate or suspicious breast lesions detected initially with MR imaging: value of MRI-directed breast ultrasound

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively determine the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-directed breast ultrasonography (US) in the evaluation of indeterminate or suspicious lesions identified on contrast-enhanced, breast MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 395 patients presenting for breast MRI during a 4-year period was retrospectively reviewed. Seventy-one patients were recommended for MRI-directed US for further characterization of indeterminate or suspicious breast lesions detected on MRI. Fifty-five patients (all female; age 31-80 years) had US. Their MRI and US were reviewed and tested for correlations with histologic results or long term follow-up. Logistic regression analyses were used to test for associations between MRI lesion characteristics and US detection rate. RESULTS: US identified 46 of 97 (47%) lesions depicted at MRI from 55 patients (47 [85%] of these patients had histories of breast malignancies). Twelve cancers were found from the 97 lesions (12%). Biopsy was avoidable in 10 lesions (10%). The detection rate with US was slightly higher with "mass" (55% [23/42]) lesions described in MRI than "non-mass" lesions or lymph nodes (42% [23/55]). There was a significant positive association (odd ratio = 1.23: 95% CI = 1.05-1.43, P = .01) between US detection rate and MRI mass lesion size. There was no statistical significance between US detection rate and the presence of malignancies; 42% (5/12) of MRI malignant lesions were not visualized with US. CONCLUSIONS: MRI-directed US reduced the number of biopsies required for indeterminate or suspicious MRI lesions. Nevertheless, the lesions which were biopsied had a low rate of malignancy.     

A retrospective audit of the first screening round of the Maltese breast screening programme

PurposeTo analyse whether the screening performance parameters of the Maltese National Breast Screening Programme first screening round met requirements set by European standards. The association between screening age and results of screening performance parameters was also investigated.MethodQuantitative methodology was used to review examinations of women who were recalled for a technical recall or further assessment rates. All accessible members of the population recalled during the first round were retrospectively reviewed resulting in a sample of 2300 recalled examinations.ResultsMalta's first screening round met the European Guidelines recommendations for technical repeat rate (0.26%), early recall rate (0.45%), breast cancer detection rate (13.77 per 1000 women) and Positive Predictive Value of screening test (7.58%). However, local recall rate (18.53%) and further assessment rate (18.27%) were higher than recommended.The Chi square test showed a statistically significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in recall rates between the compared age groups, as younger women (51–55 years) were more likely to have a negative diagnosis after the initial mammogram whereas older women (56–60 years) were more likely to be recalled. There was no age discrepancy (p ≥ 0.05) in local breast cancer detection rate and positive predictive value of screening test.ConclusionAlthough the Maltese first screening round performed well, this study found deficiencies in recall and further assessment rates, which according to literature may result in psychological morbidity and inefficient use of screening resources. This study also concluded that when a cohort is analysed, age is not as significant as the screening round itself (first/subsequent).     

Intraobserver interpretation of breast ultrasonography following the BI-RADS classification

Purpose

To use the BI-RADS ultrasound classification in an intraobserver retrospective study of the interpretation of breast images.

Materials and Methods

The study used 40 breast ultrasound images recorded in orthogonal planes, obtained from patients with an indication for surgery. Eight professionals experienced in breast imaging analysis retrospectively reviewed these lesions, in three rounds of image interpretation (with a 3-6 months interval between rounds). Observers had no access to information from medical records or histopathological results, and, without their knowledge, in each new round were assigned the same images previously interpreted by them. Fleiss-modified Kappa measures were the study main concordance index. Besides the BI-RADS, a scale grouping its categories 2-3 and 4-5 was also used. The statistical analysis concerned the intraobserver agreement.

Results

Kappa values ranged from 0.37 to 0.75 (original categories) and from 0.73 to 0.87 (grouped categories). Overall, out of the 8 observers, 7 presented moderate to substantial concordance (Kappa values 0.51 to 0.74).

Conclusion

The BI-RADS is a reporting tool that provides a standardized terminology for US exams. In this study, moderate to substantial concordance in Kappa values was found, in agreement with other studies of the literature.     

Accuracy of assigned BI-RADS breast density category definitions

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Quantitative criteria for the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) mammographic density categories have recently been defined as <25% dense for almost entirely fatty, 25%-50% dense for scattered fibroglandular densities, 51%-75% for heterogeneously dense, and >75% dense for the extremely dense category. The purpose of this study is to compare the range of percent mammographic densities with radiologist-assigned BI-RADS mammographic density categories and compare with the recently issued definitions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 200 consecutive negative analog screening mammograms were assigned BI-RADS mammographic density categories independently by three radiologists blinded to the other readers' density assignment. Quantitative assessment of percent mammographic density was performed using previously validated software. RESULTS: All three readers agreed on BI-RADS mammographic density categories in 98 cases (49%), and two of three readers agreed in all 200 cases. Using two reader's consensus, median mammographic density (range) was 6.0% (0.5%-19.2%) for fatty, 14.8% (1.2%-52.7%) for scattered densities, 51.2% (15.9%-82.2%) for heterogeneously dense, and 78.4% (60.1%-87.9%) for extremely dense breasts. The percent mammographic density ranges for fatty and extremely dense breasts correlated well with BI-RADS definitions, whereas the ranges of densities in the scattered and heterogeneously dense categories were considerably broader. CONCLUSION: Fatty and extremely dense BI-RADS categories compare relatively well to defined criteria, and therefore may be helpful in breast cancer risk models. Scattered fibroglandular densities and heterogeneously dense categories have broad percent mammographic density ranges and may not function well in breast cancer risk models.     

US screening for detection of nonpalpable locoregional recurrence after mastectomy

Purpose

To assess the value of screening ultrasonography (US) in the detection of nonpalpable locoregional recurrence following mastectomy for breast cancer and to describe the US appearances of occult recurrent cancers.

Materials and methods

During a 36-month period, 1180 consecutive US screenings were performed for mastectomy sites and ipsilateral axillary fossae in 468 asymptomatic women who had undergone mastectomy for breast cancer. All US results were divided into three groups: negative findings, probably benign nodules, and suspicious for malignant nodules. The final diagnoses were based on pathology results and clinical or sonographic follow-up for more than 12 months. The diagnostic performance of US for detecting nonpalpable locoregional recurrence was assessed. The US appearances of occult recurrent cancers were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Of the 468 patients assessed, 19 (4.1%) showed “suspicious for malignant nodules”; of these lesions, 10 were malignant. One false-negative case was identified. The sensitivity and specificity were 90.9% and 98.0%, respectively. A biopsy positive predictive value of 52.6% was observed. Cancer detection rates were 2.1% with US screenings of mastectomy sites and ipsilateral axillary fossae. The common US features of occult recurrences at the mastectomy sites were irregular shaped, not-circumscribed marginated, and hypoechoic masses with intratumoral vascularities. The most common location was within the deep muscle layer.

Conclusion

Although locoregional recurrence infrequently occurs after mastectomy for breast cancer, screening US enables detection of nonpalpable cancer before it can be detected by clinical examination. Routine follow-up US can be advocated for early detection of nonpalpable locoregional recurrent cancer.     

The clinical importance of axillary lymphadenopathy detected on screening mammography: revisited

AIM: The aim of this study was to re-evaluate our protocol for the management of isolated axillary lymphadenopathy (ALP) on mammographic screening. METHODS: In a retrospective review of 200,716 women screened at the South West London Breast Screening Service (SWLBSS) over 7 years, 72 women with ALP with an otherwise normal mammogram were identified. Thirteen patients were not recalled, nine of who had a known underlying diagnosis and the remainder had longstanding unchanged mammograms. Fifty-nine patients were recalled for further clinical assessment and investigations, including ultrasound, further mammographic views, fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), blood tests and a chest radiograph. Those with a definite diagnosis were referred for appropriate management and those with benign reactive cytology on FNAC reviewed at 6 weeks with subsequent referral for excision of persisting abnormal nodes. RESULTS: The ultimate diagnosis was benign in 45 cases: 26 benign reactive changes, 11 arthritides, five with dermatological and viral conditions and three with tuberculosis. Malignancy was diagnosed in 13 cases: four with metastatic breast carcinoma and nine with lymphoma/leukaemia. The total number of newly diagnosed malignancies was 20% of women recalled. Another 5% of patients had active tuberculosis. Of the 22 patients with benign reactive cytology, one had significant pathology on excision biopsy: tuberculosis. Over 95% of the results from excision biopsy in these patients did not alter management. CONCLUSION: In the majority of patients, the FNAC results were representative of the final excision pathology. The present study suggests that excision biopsy could be omitted for those patients whose FNAC and culture are negative.     

增强与非增强组合序列MRI对乳腺病变筛查的比较研究

目的：比较乳腺非增强组合序列与 MR 增强扫描（CE-MRI）对乳腺疾病的诊断价值,探讨非增强 MRI 序列作为常规乳腺筛查技术的可行性。方法：回顾性分析157例（良性92例,恶性65例）经病理证实的乳腺病变的 MRI 资料,计算 T1 WI ＆ DWI、FS T2 WI ＆ DWI 和 CE-MRI 三种方式诊断乳腺病变的检出率、敏感度、特异度、约登指数、阳性和阴性预测值,绘制受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）,比较3种方式的诊断效能,并总结乳腺恶性病变在非增强组合序列上的特征。结果：T1 WI ＆ DWI、FS T2 WI ＆ DWI、CE-MRI 对乳腺病变的检出率分别为81．53％、89．17％和94．90％,三种方法间两两比较,差异均有统计学意义（P ＜0．0125）。三种方法对乳腺癌的检查率为95．38％（62／65）、96．92％（63／65）和96．92％（63／65）,对肿块型乳腺癌为98．31％、98．31％和98．31％,三者间差异均无统计学意义（P ＞0．05）。FS T2 WI ＆DWI 诊断乳腺病变的敏感度、特异度、约登指数、阳性和阴性预测值分别为0．925、0．898、0．836、0．911和0．929,其 ROC的曲线下面积（AUC）为0．925,与 CE-MRI（0．929）间差异无统计学意义（P ＝0．914＞0．05）。FS T2 WI 和 DWI 上乳腺恶性病变的特征：①肿块型居多,边缘多不规则,伴或不伴毛刺;②FS T2 WI 上多呈稍高或混杂信号;③诊断恶性病变的ADC 阈值＝1．13×10－3 mm2／s。结论：FS T2 WI 结合 DWI 对乳腺疾病具有较高的诊断价值,可作为乳腺疾病筛查的 MRI技术。     

Accuracy of CESM versus conventional mammography and ultrasound in evaluation of BI-RADS 3 and 4 breast lesions with pathological correlation

Aim

Assess accuracy of contrast enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) versus conventional mammography and ultrasound in evaluation of BI-RADS 3 and 4 breast lesions with pathological correlation.

Breast ultrasound elastography—Results of 193 breast lesions in a prospective study with histopathologic correlation

Purpose

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of ultrasound elastography in breast masses.

Material and methods

193 lesions (129 benign, 64 malignant) were analyzed with the EUB 8500 Logos-ultrasonic-unit (Hitachi Medical, Japan) and a linear-array-transducer of 7.5-13-MHz. Standard of reference was cytology (FNAfine needle aspiration) or histology (core biopsy). The elastic-score was classified according to a 6-point colour-scale (Ueno classification; 1-3 = benign, 4-5 = malignant). Conventional B-mode ultrasound (US) findings were classified according to the BI-RADS classification. Statistical analysis included sensitivity, specificity, ROC-analysis and kappa-values for intra-/interobserver reliability.

Results

The mean score for elasticity was 4.1 ± 0.9 for malignant lesions, and 2.1 ± 1.0 for benign lesions (p < 0.001). With a best cut-off point between elasticity scores 3 and 4, sensitivity was 96.9%, and specificity 76%. Setting a best cut-off point for conventional US between BI-RADS 4 and 5, sensitivity was 57.8%, and specificity 96.1%. Elastography provided higher sensitivity and lower specificity than conventional US, but two lesions with elasticity score 1 were false negative, whereas no lesion scored BI-RADS 1-3 were false negative. ROC-curve was 0.884 for elastography, and 0.820 for conventional US (p < 0.001). Weighted kappa-values for intra-/interobserver reliability were 0.784/0.634 for BI-RADS classification, and 0.720/0.561 for elasticity scores.

Conclusion

In our study setting, elastography does not have the potential to replace conventional B-mode US for the detection of breast cancer, but may complement conventional US to improve the diagnostic performance.     

The positive predictive value of the breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) as a method of quality assessment in breast imaging in a hospital population

Evaluation of the diagnostic performance of mammography and US in our hospital, based upon the positive predictive value (PPV) for breast cancer of the breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) final assessment categories, has been performed. A follow-up study of 2,762 mammograms was performed, along with 955 diagnostic exams and 1,807 screening exams. Additional US was performed in 655 patients (23.7%). The combined reports were assigned a BI-RADS category. Follow-up was obtained by pathologic examination, mammography at 12 months or from PALGA, a nationwide network and registry of histo- and cytopathology. Overall sensitivity was 85% (specificity 98.7%); sensitivity of the diagnostic examinations was 92.9% (specificity 97.7%) and of the screening examinations 69.2% (specificity 99.2%). The PPV of BI-RADS 1 was 5 of 1,542 (0.3%), and of BI-RADS 2, it was 6 of 935 (0.6%). BI-RADS 3 was 6 of 154 (3.9%), BI-RADS 4 was 39 of 74 (52.7%) and BI-RADS 5 was 57 of 57 (100%). The difference between BI-RADS 1 and 2 vs. BI-RADS 3 was statistically significant (P<0.01). Analysis of BI-RADS 3 cases revealed inconsistencies in its assignment. Evaluation of the BI-RADS final assessment categories enables a valid analysis of the diagnostic performance of mammography and US and reveals tools to improve future outcomes.