Bilateral axillary metastases of occult breast carcinoma: report of a case with a review of the literature.

The case of a 47-year-old premenopausal woman is presented in whom axillary lymph node metastases occurred on both sides 3 years apart although no primary tumor was detectable in either breast is presented. An overview of the literature on this rare entity is given. Patients with occult breast carcinoma with axillary lymph node metastases should have a complete physical examination, radiologic analysis (mammography, ultrasonography, and MRI of both breasts) and screening for disseminated disease. If there is no evidence of a primary tumor and metastases other than in the axilla, an axillary dissection should be carried out. In addition, the patient should be offered the choice of irradiation of the breast or mastectomy. Postoperatively, patients should receive appropriate systemic therapy tailored to their age, menopausal status, and receptor status.

Preoperative MRI and surgical management in patients with nonpalpable breast cancer: the MONET - randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated whether performing contrast-enhanced breast MRI in addition to mammography and/or ultrasound in patients with nonpalpable suspicious breast lesions improves breast cancer management. METHODS: The MONET - study (MR mammography of nonpalpable breast tumours) is a randomised controlled trial in patients with a nonpalpable BIRADS 3-5 lesion. Patients were randomly assigned to receive routine medical care, including mammography, ultrasound and lesion sampling by large core needle biopsy or additional MRI preceding biopsy. Patients with cancer were referred for surgery. Primary end-point was the rate of additional surgical procedures (re-excisions and conversion to mastectomy) in patients with a nonpalpable breast cancer. FINDINGS: Four hundred and eighteen patients were randomised, 207 patients were allocated to MRI, and 211 patients to the control group. In the MRI group 74 patients had 83 malignant lesions, compared to 75 patients with 80 malignant lesions in the control group. The primary breast conserving surgery (BCS) rate was similar in both groups; 68% in the MRI group versus 66% in the control group. The number of re-excisions performed because of positive resection margins after primary BCS was increased in the MRI group; 18/53 (34%) patients in the MRI group versus 6/50 (12%) in the control group (p=0.008). The number of conversions to mastectomy did not differ significantly between groups. Overall, the rate of an additional surgical intervention (BCS and mastectomy combined) after initial breast conserving surgery was 24/53 (45%) in the MRI group versus 14/50 (28%) in the control group (p=0.069). INTERPRETATION: Addition of MRI to routine clinical care in patients with nonpalpable breast cancer was paradoxically associated with an increased re-excision rate. Breast MRI should not be used routinely for preoperative work-up of patients with nonpalpable breast cancer.

The low transverse Pfannenstiel incision and the prevalence of incisional hernia and nerve entrapment.

OBJECTIVE: The authors determined the prevalence of incisional hernia and nerve entrapment in patients with a low transverse Pfannenstiel incision. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The literature on the Pfannenstiel incision suggests an incisional hernia rate of 0.0% to 0.5%. However, in these series, physical examination, which is essential in the authors' view, was not performed. To the authors' knowledge, the prevalence of nerve entrapment after the Pfannenstiel incision is not known or has never been published. METHODS: All adult women, operated on between 1986 and 1992 using a Pfannenstiel incision and not having had another lower abdominal incision other than for laparoscopy, were invited for follow-up at the outpatient department. All patients were interviewed and subjected to a physical examination, with special interest to the presence of incisional hernia or nerve entrapment. RESULTS: In patients having had a Pfannenstiel incision, no incisional hernias were found. In patients also having had a laparoscopy, the incisional hernia rate was 3.5%. Nerve entrapment was found in 3.7%. The length of the incision was identified as a risk factor (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Incisional hernia is a rare complication of the Pfannenstiel incision. Complications of nerve damage, however, are not uncommon and should be recognized. When possible, nerves should be identified and preserved, especially when extending the incision more laterally.