Mammographic and sonographic features of tubular breast carcinoma.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: This study aimed to describe the mammographic and sonographic features of tubular carcinoma of the breast. METHODS: A retrospective review of 198 consecutive cases of surgically proven breast cancer revealed ten cases of tubular carcinoma of the breast. Only tumors with a tubular component of at least 75% were included in the study. Mean patient age was 56 +/- 9 years, range 35 to 70 years. RESULTS: The mean size of the tumors was 11 +/- 4 mm. On mammography, all tubular carcinomas appeared as an irregularly shaped mass with a central density in 6/10 cases. Eight tubular carcinomas were described as having spiculated margins. Microcalcifications were present in 4/10 cases. On ultrasound the tumor presented as a hypoechoic mass with irregular margins and posterior acoustic shadowing in 7/10 cases. In three cases the tumor presented as a hypoechoic mass with ill-defined margins and posterior acoustic shadowing. CONCLUSIONS: Although some specific mammographic and sonographic features may suggest the presence of a tubular carcinoma, the final differential diagnosis from other spiculated lesions of the breast should rely on histologic evidence only. Therefore, surgical biopsy should be recommended in all cases of stellate lesions of the breast detected at mammography or ultrasonogram.

CT features of descending necrotizing mediastinitis--a pictorial essay.

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a relatively rare condition caused by downward spread of neck infections into the mediastinum. This infection previously had a much worse prognosis. In recent years, prompt computer topography (CT) diagnosis has been recommended. CT scan provides the earliest means of detecting DNM for optimal management and early surgical intervention. This paper provides an illustrated summary of our extensive clinical experience with DNM, involving 36 documented cases with CT over a 5-year period.

Color power Doppler US and contrast-enhanced US features of abdominal solid organ injuries.

Utilization of color power Doppler and sonographic contrast agents to basic ultrasound (US) further improve the detection and characterization of abdominal injuries, increasing the diagnostic accuracy and value of US as an important technique in the evaluation of the abdominal trauma. This paper provides an illustrated summary of our clinical experience with color power Doppler US (CD-US) and contrast-enhanced US (CE-US) in the evaluation of abdominal solid organ injuries, involving 32 documented cases over a 2-year period. The findings of the CD-US and CE-US were compared with those provided by state-of-the-art contrast-enhanced multidetector 16-row CT.