Small vascular lesions of the breast diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging-guided vacuum assisted biopsy: Report of 2 cases.

Vascular lesions of the breast comprise a heterogeneous group that includes a variety of benign, atypical, and malignant lesions. These are a diagnostic challenge given variable clinical, radiological and pathological presentation, especially when they are small and asymptomatic. We present 2 cases of these rare lesions of the breast which were occult to mammographics and ultrasound studies. Both the lesions were detected only on magnetic resonance imaging, most helpful in the diagnosis of these rare tumor. Histopathological examinations following the magnetic resonance guided biopsies, were initially interpreted as negative for breast cancer in both cases. These turned out to be respectively a low grade angiosarcoma and a benign vascular lesion after a new histopathological examination following a larger magnetic resonance guided biopsies performed in light of the radiology-pathology discordance. Although rare, it is important to consider vascular tumours of the breast; radiologists need to be aware such tumors may present non-specific imaging features.

A Prospective Evaluation of Tru-Cut Biopsy and Fine-needle Aspiration Cytology in Male Breast Cancer Detection.

BACKGROUND: Male breast-cancer (MBC) is often diagnosed late. Our purpose was to evaluate fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) versus Tru-Cut biopsy (TCNB) in MBC diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Men with suspicious breast lesions were prospectively enrolled; 54 met the inclusion criteria and underwent FNAC and TCNB. FNAC, TCNB and gold-standard results were compared. RESULTS: Unsatisfactory results were 11.1% after FNAC and none after TCNB (p=0.027). After gold-standard evaluation, the diagnosis of FNAC and TCNB was confirmed, respectively, in 63.0% and 98.1% and changed in 37.0% and 1.9% (p<0.001). The malignancy rate after FNAC, TCNB and surgery were, respectively, 25.9%, 33.3% and 35.1% (FNAC vs. TCNB p=0.5276, FNAC vs. surgery p=0.404; TCNB vs. surgery p=1). Among invasive carcinomas, 93.8% were identified by FNAC vs. 87.5% by TCNB (p=1); all ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) were detected after TCNB and none after FNAC (p=0.1). CONCLUSION: FNAC leads to a significantly higher number of inadequate samplings and seems to be subject to increased DCIS misdiagnoses. TCNB correlated better to the final histological report.

Vertebral hydatid cyst infection. A case report.

Hydatidosis is a common parasitic zoonosis in Middle Eastern, African, and Mediterranean populations whit primarily and well known involve of liver and lungs, but some complications are extremely rare and underrated. Particularly Hydatid cystic disease of the skeletal is one of the rarest clinical manifestations and when occurs involve in almost 50% of cases the spine. This manifestation is extremely debilitating, hard to correctly identify and manage. We want to underline this rare involve of spine to avoid misdiagnosis and complications.

Reducing the Number of Unnecessary Percutaneous Biopsies: The Role of Second Opinion by Expert Breast Center Radiologists.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The research objectives of this study were the estimation of the number of misdiagnosed breast lesions by non-expert-center-breast-radiologists (NEBR) and the investigation of the discordant rate (DR) calculated between initial and second opinion. Moreover, this study evaluated the impact of second opinion and the factors associated with DR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 399 patients were sent to our Tertiary Breast Cancer (BC) Center to perform fine needle aspiration/core needle biopsy (FNAC/CNB) after external examination. Lesions were reclassified according to Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS). External examinations were classified as breast-expert, not-breast-expert and physicians as expert-center-breast-radiologists (EBR), NEBR, and non-radiologists (NR). Personal/family history of breast cancer (BC), breast-density and presence of prior imaging were collected. RESULTS: DR was 74.3%. After second opinion, FNAC/CNB was proposed in 25.7% of cases and 2 additional cancers were detected. About 59.5% of unnecessary FNAC/CNB were avoided. Dense breast, no prior imaging examination and BC family-history were associated with higher DR (p-value<0.001); personal BC-history was associated in NEBR evaluations (p-value=0.0383). CONCLUSION: Second opinion review of outside examinations at expert BC Center may decrease unneeded biopsy, reducing health-care costs.

Internal jugular vein agenesis: a rare vascular abnormality and incidental finding. A case of internal jugular vein agenesis in a 52-years old male.

We report a case of vascular malformation arising from internal jugular vein discovered during radiological investigations for restaging of metastatic colon carcinoma of an adult male patient. Congenital absence of internal jugular vein is extremely uncommon. These developmental anomalies in general population are seen in about 0.05%-0.25%. The awareness of these vascular anomalies is extremely important to avoid unsafe complications, primarily in oncological patients, whom usually require the incannulation of neck veins for diagnostic procedures or intravenous therapy administration.

Ultrasound-Guided Vacuum-Assisted Biopsy in Small Breast: A Cost-Saving Solution.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (US-VABB) for sampling of microcalcifications indicative of cancer when stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy cannot be performed because of reasons such as thin breast tissue, insufficient thickness at compression, and microcalcification situated close to the chest wall or in breast tissue of the axillary tail. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population was selected from among 187 patients with microcalcifications detected on mammogram. The findings were classified using the American College of Radiology criteria as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System 3, 4, or 5. 30 Thirty were not eligible for stereotactic guidance because of reasons such as small breast size, compression thickness <2 cm, or microcalcification located in the axillary tails or close to chest wall. In 23 patients microcalcifications were detected at ultrasound, and US-VABB was performed. The other 7 patients underwent surgical biopsy. In the 23 patients who underwent US-VABB, multiple core samples were taken after a specimen mammography to ensure that microcalcifications were included. RESULTS: Biopsy was successful in all cases of US-VABB. The procedure was well tolerated, and there were no complications. CONCLUSION: US-VABB should be preferred over diagnostic surgical biopsy when microcalcifications are sonographically visible and stereotactic guidance is contraindicated. The procedure appears to be reliable and accurate, with added advantages such as low cost and absence of radiation exposure.