CEM immediately after contrast-enhanced CT: a one-step staging of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) is a promising technique. We evaluated the diagnostic potential of CEM performed immediately after contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT). METHODS: Fifty patients with breast cancer underwent first CE-CT and then CEM without additional contrast material injection. Two independent radiologists evaluated CEM images. The sensitivity of CEM for detecting index and additional malignant lesions was compared with that of mammography/ultrasonography by the McNemar test, using histopathology as a reference standard. Interobserver agreement for detection of malignant lesions, for classifying index tumors, and for evaluating index tumor size and extent was assessed using Cohen κ. Pearson correlation was used for correlating index tumor size/extent at CEM or mammography/ultrasonography with histopathology. RESULTS: Of the 50 patients, 30 (60%) had unifocal disease while 20 (40%) had multicentric or multifocal disease; 5 of 20 patients with multicentric disease (25%) had bilateral involvement, for a total of 78 malignant lesions, including 72 (92%) invasive ductal and 6 (8%) invasive lobular carcinomas. Sensitivity was 63/78 (81%, 95% confidence interval 70.27-88.82) for unenhanced breast imaging and 78/78 (100%, 95.38-100) for CEM (p < 0.001). The interobserver agreement for overall detection of malignant lesions, for classifying index tumor, and for evaluating index tumor size/extent were 0.94, 0.95, and 0.86 κ, respectively. For index tumor size/extent, correlation coefficients as compared with histological specimens were 0.50 for mammography/ultrasonography and 0.75 for CEM (p ≤ 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: CEM acquired immediately after CE-CT without injection of additional contrast material showed a good performance for local staging of breast cancer. RELEVANCE STATEMENT: When the CEM suite is near to the CE-CT acquisition room, CEM acquired immediately after, without injection of additional contrast material, could represent a way for local staging of breast cancer to be explored in larger prospective studies. KEY POINTS: • CEM represents a new accurate tool in the field of breast imaging. • An intravenous injection of iodine-based contrast material is required for breast gland evaluation. • CEM after CE-CT could provide a one-stop tool for breast cancer staging.

Mastectomy with one-stage or two-stage reconstruction in breast cancer: analysis of early outcomes and patient's satisfaction.

Aim of this study is to compare early post-operative outcomes and patient's satisfaction after skin-sparing and/or nipple-sparing mastectomy (SSM/SNSM) followed either by breast reconstruction with one-stage prepectoral implantation or two-stage technique for breast cancer (BC) or BRCA1/2 mutation.From January 2018 to December 2021, 96 patients (mean age of 51.12 ± 10.9) underwent SSM/SNSM and were divided into two groups: in group A (65 patients, 67.7%), mastectomy was followed by one-stage reconstruction; in group B (31 patients, 32.3%) by two-stage. Operative time was significantly longer in A vs. B (307.6 ± 95.7 vs. 254.4 ± 90.91; P < 0.05). Previous breast surgery was more common in B vs. A (29.0% vs. 7.7%; P < 0.05), while bilateral surgery was performed more frequently in A vs. B (40% vs. 6.5%; P = 0.001). All SSM/SNSM for BRCA1/2 mutation were followed by immediate prepectoral implantation. No significant differences were found between groups in terms of post-operative complications. At pathology, DCIS and invasive ST forms, such as multicentric/multifocal forms, were detected more frequently in B, while NST type in A (all P < 0.05). A multivariate analysis showed improved post-operative satisfaction at BREAST-Q survey in Group A (P = 0.001). Encouraging oncologic outcomes after SSM/SNSM for BC enabled the improvement of breast reconstructive techniques. One-stage reconstruction is characterized by better aesthetic outcomes and by greater patient's satisfaction. When SSM/SNSM is technically difficult to perform, as in multicentric/multifocal forms or previous breast surgery, mastectomy followed by two-stage reconstruction should be considered to achieve a radical surgery.

Adenosine pathway inhibitors: novel investigational agents for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: The adenosine pathway has been suggested to play a key role in several carcinogenetic processes, with the metabolism of adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) and its derivatives reported to be dysregulated in breast cancer. Preclinical evidence has supported the role of adenosine in the pathogenesis of this malignancy as well as the development of selective adenosine pathway inhibitors. AREAS COVERED: The paper overviews the evidence regarding the use of adenosine pathway inhibitors in breast cancer; a literature search was conducted in January 2022 of Pubmed/Medline, Cochrane library, and Scopus databases. EXPERT OPINION: The adenosine pathway regulates inflammation, apoptosis, metastasis, and cell proliferation in breast cancer cells, and adenosine pathway inhibitors have yielded encouraging results in early-phase clinical trials. Well-designed, multicenter studies focused on monotherapies and combination therapies (which include immune checkpoint inhibitors) are warranted in this setting.

Ultrasound evaluation of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.

PURPOSE: To assess the role of ultrasound (US) in detecting and characterizing ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast and to investigate the correlation between ultrasonographic and biological features of DCIS. METHODS: In total, 171 patients (mean age 44; range 39-62) with 178 lesions were retrospectively evaluated by two independent radiologists searching for US mass or non-mass lesions. Immunohistochemistry analysis was performed to determine estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression. The US detection rate and pattern distribution among the lesion types were evaluated. The χ2 test was used to evaluate the correlation between the US findings and the biological factors. Statistical significance was indicated by p values < 0.05. Inter-observer agreement was calculated by Kohen's k test. RESULTS: US detected 35% (63/178) of all lesions. Fifty-two (83%) lesions were classified as mass lesions, and 11 (17%) as non-mass lesions (p < 0.0001). Among the mass lesions, the most common shape was irregular (79%; p < 0.0001), with 45 (87%) lesions having indistinct margins. Hypoechogenicity was the most common echo pattern (49 cases, 94%; p < 0.0001). Microcalcifications were found in 23 cases (37%; p = 0.004) and were associated with mass lesions in 15 cases (65%) and with non-mass lesions in 8 cases (35%) (p = 0.21). An almost perfect inter-observer agreement (k = 0.87) was obtained between the two radiologists. A significant ER expression was found in mass lesions (83%; p < 0.0001), with no significant PR (p = 0.89) or HER2 expression (p = 0.81). Among the lesions with microcalcifications, only 7 out of 23 cases (30%) were positive for HER2 (p = 0.09). CONCLUSION: DCIS represents a heterogeneous pathological process with variable US appearance (mass-like, non-mass-like, or occult). The most common US finding is represented by mass-type, hypoechogenic lesions with indistinct margins. A significant ER expression exists among mass-type lesions, while microcalcifications seem not to be associated with HER2 expression.

Radiomic Analysis in Contrast-Enhanced Spectral Mammography for Predicting Breast Cancer Histological Outcome.

Contrast-Enhanced Spectral Mammography (CESM) is a recently introduced mammographic method with characteristics particularly suitable for breast cancer radiomic analysis. This work aims to evaluate radiomic features for predicting histological outcome and two cancer molecular subtypes, namely Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER2)-positive and triple-negative. From 52 patients, 68 lesions were identified and confirmed on histological examination. Radiomic analysis was performed on regions of interest (ROIs) selected from both low-energy (LE) and ReCombined (RC) CESM images. Fourteen statistical features were extracted from each ROI. Expression of estrogen receptor (ER) was significantly correlated with variation coefficient and variation range calculated on both LE and RC images; progesterone receptor (PR) with skewness index calculated on LE images; and Ki67 with variation coefficient, variation range, entropy and relative smoothness indices calculated on RC images. HER2 was significantly associated with relative smoothness calculated on LE images, and grading tumor with variation coefficient, entropy and relative smoothness calculated on RC images. Encouraging results for differentiation between ER+/ER-, PR+/PR-, HER2+/HER2-, Ki67+/Ki67-, High-Grade/Low-Grade and TN/NTN were obtained. Specifically, the highest performances were obtained for discriminating HER2+/HER2- (90.87%), ER+/ER- (83.79%) and Ki67+/Ki67- (84.80%). Our results suggest an interesting role for radiomics in CESM to predict histological outcomes and particular tumors' molecular subtype.

DBT-galactography: a promising tool for improving the diagnostic workup of nipple discharge.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to compare the diagnostic performance of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT)-galactography with that of full-field digital (FFD)-galactography for detecting intraductal breast lesions using an intra-individual design. METHODS: Forty-nine consecutive patients with spontaneous, unilateral, single-pore nipple discharge and inconclusive FFD mammography and ultrasonography underwent galactography with a "COMBO" technique combining FFD- and DBT-galactography acquisitions. Examinations were independently analysed by two breast radiologists with 10-year experience. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for both FFD- and DBT-galactography were calculated having histological examinations of surgical specimens as a reference standard. Data were presented as percentages with their 95% confidence intervals (CI). McNemar test was used. Interobserver agreement was assessed by using Cohen κ test for both techniques. RESULTS: Sensitivity was 41/43 (95%, 95% CI 84.2-99.4) for DBT-galactography and 33/43 (77%, 95% CI 61.4-88.2) for FFD-galactography (p = 0.008), specificity 6/6 (100%, 95% CI 54.1-100.0) for both imaging tools, accuracy 47/49 (96%, 95% CI 86.0-99.5) and 39/49 (80%, 95% CI 65.7-89.8) (p = 0.038), respectively. The inter-observer agreement was 0.86 for DBT-galactography and 0.78 for FFD-galactography. The AGD resulted to 1.94 ± 0.64 for the combined technique. CONCLUSION: DBT-galactography showed a significantly higher sensitivity and accuracy than FFD-galactography for the identification of the intraductal findings, improving the possibility of a reliable diagnosis in patients with pathologic nipple-discharge.

A diagnostic dilemma: Pedunculated mesenteric lipodystrophy mimicking Meckel's diverticulum. A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Mesenteric lipodystrophy is a rare fibroinflammatory disease of unknown origin with clinical and radiological non specific findings. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: The case of a 42-years-old man affected by a pedunculated mesenteric lipodystrophy mimicking Meckel's diverticulum is reported. Clinical, imaging and histological findings are discussed. DISCUSSION: Mesenteric lipodystrophy affects the mesenteric fat of the abdomen with a typical diffuse thickening of the mesentery, nodular thickening of the mesenteric root and presence of mass-like lesions. Ultrasound (US) and Multiphasic Computed Tomography (CT) represent the main imaging tools used for diagnosis. Clinical and imaging findings can mimick other pathological conditions affecting the mesenteric fat tissue. Contrast enhanced CT is the most accurate imaging technique for diagnosing mesenteric lipodystrophy due to the high panoramicity and accuracy with multiplanar imaging. Multiphasic technique helps to characterize the lesion and to recognize vascular anatomy. Oral administration of iodinated contrast medium may help to assess the relationship with bowel loops. All these diagnostic elements are crucial for the surgical timing and approach. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the heterogeneous mesenteric involvement, the nonspecific CT findings and the high number of diseases for differential diagnosis, the detection of mesenteric lipodystrophy is challenging and requires early clinical suspicion. An histological examination is always necessary.

Anaplastic large-cell periprosthetic lymphoma of the breast: could fibrin be an early radiological indicator of the presence of disease?

PURPOSE: The onset characteristics of the anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BI-ALCL) are non-specific and the diagnosis is often difficult and based on clinical suspicion and cytological sampling. The presence of non-pathognomonic radiological signs may delay the diagnosis of BI-ALCL, influencing patient prognosis. This could have an important social impact, considering that the incidence of BI-ALCL correlates with the number of prosthetic implants, which is in constant increase worldwide. The aim of this study was to verify if fibrin can represent a potential early radiological sign of the disease. METHODS: In this study, we present two cases of our series and review the previous studies already described in literature, searching for any early radiological sign of the disease and reporting a diagnostic work-up process for an early diagnosis. RESULTS: Signs clearly recognizable only of magnetic resonance were the following: thickening and hyperemia of the fibrous capsule with seroma and amorphous material (fibrin) present in 8 out of 10 cases (80%) detected on magnetic resonance images (certain or doubtful). CONCLUSION: The presence of fibrin in the periprosthetic effusion, well detectable by magnetic resonance imaging, could represent an early pathognomonic sign of the disease.

Breast MRI background parenchymal enhancement as an imaging bridge to molecular cancer sub-type.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the distribution of MRI breast parenchymal enhancement (BPE) among different breast cancer subtypes searching for any significant difference in terms of immunohistochemical and receptorial patterns (Estrogen Receptor -ER, Progesterone Receptor - PR, Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 - HER2). METHODS: 82 consecutive patients affected by breast cancer underwent breast DCE-MRI. Two radiologists retrospectively evaluated all subtracted MR enhanced images for classifying BPE. ER, PR and HER2 expression was assessed by immunohistochemical analysis. ER and PR status was evaluated using Allred score (positive values: score ≥3). The intensity of the cerbB-2 staining was scored as 0, 1+, 2+, or 3+ (positive values: ≥ 3+; negative:0 and 1+; 2+ value assessed with silver in-situ hybridization). Patients were classified into five categories based on cancer subtypes: Luminal A, Luminal B HER2 negative, Luminal B HER2 positive, HER2 positive non luminal, triple negative. The χ2 test was used for evaluating the significance of BPE type distribution into the five groups of tumor subtypes and the distribution of the five breast cancer subtypes among every single BPE type. The correlation of BPE with factors such as age, menopausal status and lesion diameter was investigated using multivariate regression analysis and logistic regression. Cohen's kappa statistics was used in order to assess inter-observer agreement for classifying BPE. RESULTS: 6/82 cases were Luminal A-like (7.3%), 42/82 Luminal B-like (HER2-) (51.2%), 12/82 Luminal B-like (HER2+) (14.6%), 4/82 Non Luminal (HER+) (4.9%), 18/82 Triple Negative (ductal) (22%). 16/82 cases showed minimal BPE, 28/82 mild BPE, 22/82 moderate BPE, 16/82 marked BPE. Mild BPE pattern was significantly more prevalent (p = 0.0001) than other BPE types only in the luminal B (HER-) tumors. Moderate and marked BPE prevailed over minimal and mild, in triple negatives. Among all patients with mild BPE, luminal B (HER2-) tumors were significantly higher (p = 0.0001). Among all patients with marked BPE, triple negative subtypes were significantly higher (p = 0.0074). No significant confounder to BPE qualitative evaluation was found (p = 0.39). The inter-rater agreement in evaluating BPE patterns on MRI was almost perfect with Cohen's k = 0.83. CONCLUSIONS: BPE could play a crucial role as an imaging bridge to molecular breast cancer subtype allowing an additional risk stratification in the field of breast MRI and targeted screening tests. Luminal B (HER2-) tumors could prevail in case of mild BPE on CE-MRI examinations and TN tumors in patients with marked BPE. Further studies on larger series are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Comparison between CT Net enhancement and PET/CT SUV for N staging of gastric cancer: A case series.

BACKGROUND: The therapeutic approach of gastric cancer strictly depends on TNM staging mainly provided by CT and PET/CT. However, the lymph node size criterion as detected by MDCT causes a poor differential diagnosis between reactive and metastatic enlarged lymph nodes with low specificity values. Our study aims to compare 320-row CT Net enhancement and fluorine-18 fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-FDG PET/CT) SUV for N staging of gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 45 patients with histologically proven gastric cancer underwent CT and F-FDG PET/CT. Two radiologists in consensus evaluated all images and calculated the CT Net enhancement and F-FDG PET/CT SUV for N staging, having the histological findings as the reference standard. CT and F-FDG PET/CT sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) were evaluated and compared by using the Mc Nemar test. RESULTS: The histological examination revealed nodal metastases in 29/45 cases (64%). CT Net enhancement obtained sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV of 90%, 81%, 87%, 90% and 81%, respectively. F-FDG PET/CT SUV obtained sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV of 66%, 88%, 73%, 90% and 58%, respectively. No statistically significant difference between the two imaging modalities was found (p = 0.1). CONCLUSION: CT Net enhancement represents an accurate tool for N staging of gastric cancer and could be considered as the CT corresponding quantitative parameter of F-FDG PET/CT SUV. It could be applied in the clinical practice for differentiating reactive lymph nodes from metastatic ones improving accuracy and specificity of CT.

Uremic lung: The "calcified cauliflower" sign in the end stage renal disease.

Metastatic pulmonary calcification (MPC) is a rare pathological condition consisting of lung calcium salt deposits which commonly occurs in patients affected by chronic kidney disease probably for some abnormalities in calcium and phosphate metabolism. CT represents the technique of choice for detecting MPC findings including ground glass opacities and partially calcified nodules or consolidations. We present a case of MCP in a patient affected by hepato-renal autosomic-dominant polycystic disease; chest CT revealed extensive lobar-segmental parenchymal calcification with a peculiar cauliflower shape which we called "calcified cauliflower" sign. The "calcified cauliflower" sign can be reported as a new CT pattern of uremic lung that needs to be identified for a correct diagnosis and patient management.

Prognostic value of Tissue Transition Projection 3D transparent wall CT reconstructions in bowel ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) represents the gold standard in patients with acute abdomen syndrome and suspected bowel ischemia. It provides a correct diagnosis and contributes to appropriate treatment planning. This study aims to evaluate the role of 3D Tissue Transition Projection (TTP) transparent wall CT reconstruction for detecting the degree of bowel dilatation and to correlate this finding with the aetiology and prognosis in patients affected by mesenteric infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-seven patients affected by bowel infarction due to vascular obstruction (arterial in 66% of cases, venous in 34%) were assessed by MDCT examination searching for the degree of bowel dilatation (subdivided into 4 groups: entire small bowel (SB); ≥50% of SB; < 50% of SB; large bowel only). Two blinded radiologists evaluated TTP 3D transparent wall and multi-planar reconstructions. Chi square test was used to correlate CT findings with the disease course and the mortality rate. Cohen's kappa statistics was used in order to assess inter-observer agreement. RESULTS: The overall mortality rate was 64%, with a 90% value for arterial forms and 10% in case of venous infarctions. The entire SB (n = 10) or a ≥50% SB dilatation (n = 16) correlated with poor prognosis in all cases (p < 0.05); a <50% SB dilatation (n = 16) correlated with good prognosis in 87.5% of cases (p < 0.05). A large bowel only dilatation (n = 5) did not show a significant prognostic value (p = 0.13). Almost perfect agreement between the two readers was found (k = 0.84). CONCLUSION: MDCT offers different reconstruction software for diagnosing bowel ischemia. 3D TTP transparent wall reconstructions represent a rapid and automatic tool for identifying loop dilatation, which significantly correlates with an arterial aetiology and poor prognosis.

Abbreviated Combined MR Protocol: A New Faster Strategy for Characterizing Breast Lesions.

BACKGROUND: The use of an abbreviated magnetic resonance (MR) protocol has been recently proposed for cancer screening. The aim of our study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of an abbreviated MR protocol combining short TI inversion recovery (STIR), turbo-spin-echo (TSE)-T2 sequences, a pre-contrast T1, and a single intermediate (3 minutes after contrast injection) post-contrast T1 sequence for characterizing breast lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 470 patients underwent breast MR examination for screening, problem solving, or preoperative staging. Two experienced radiologists evaluated both standard and abbreviated protocols in consensus. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and diagnostic accuracy for both protocols were calculated (with the histological findings and 6-month ultrasound follow-up as the reference standard) and compared with the McNemar test. The post-processing and interpretation times for the MR images were compared with the paired t test. RESULTS: In 177 of 470 (38%) patients, the MR sequences detected 185 breast lesions. Standard and abbreviated protocols obtained sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, PPV, and NPV values respectively of 92%, 92%, 92%, 68%, and 98% and of 89%, 91%, 91%, 64%, and 98% with no statistically significant difference (P < .0001). The mean post-processing and interpretation time were, respectively, 7 ± 1 minutes and 6 ± 3.2 minutes for the standard protocol and 1 ± 1.2 minutes and 2 ± 1.2 minutes for the abbreviated protocol, with a statistically significant difference (P < .01). CONCLUSION: An abbreviated combined MR protocol represents a time-saving tool for radiologists and patients with the same diagnostic potential as the standard protocol in patients undergoing breast MRI for screening, problem solving, or preoperative staging.

Breast MRI background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) correlates with the risk of breast cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) and breast cancer would correlate searching for any significant difference of BPE pattern distribution in case of benign or malignant lesions. METHODS: 386 patients, including 180 pre-menopausal (group 1) and 206 post-menopausal (group 2), underwent MR examination. Two radiologists evaluated MR images classifying normal BPE as minimal, mild, moderate or marked. The two groups of patients were subdivided into 3 categories based on MRI findings (negative, benign and malignant lesions). The distribution of BPE patterns within the two groups and within the three MR categories was calculated. The χ2 test was used to evaluate BPE type distribution in the three patient categories and any statistically significant correlation of BPE with lesion type was calculated. The Student t test was applied to search for any statistically significant difference between BPE type rates in group 1 and 2. RESULTS: The χ2 test demonstrated a statistically significant difference in the distribution of BPE types in negative patients and benign lesions as compared with malignant ones (p<0.05). A significantly higher prevalence of moderate and marked BPE was found among malignant lesions (group 1: 32% and 42%, respectively; group 2: 31% and 46%, respectively) while a predominance of minimal and mild BPE among negative patients (group 1: 60% and 36%, respectively; group 2: 68% and 32%, respectively) and benign lesions (group 1: 54% and 38%, respectively; group 2: 75% and 17%, respectively) was found. The Student t test did not show a statistically significant difference between BPE type rates in group 1 and 2 (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Normal BPE could correlate with the risk of breast cancer being such BPE patterns as moderate and marked associated with patients with malignant lesions in both pre and post-menopausal women.

Supine breast US: how to correlate breast lesions from prone MRI.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate spatial displacement of breast lesions from prone MR to supine ultrasound positions, and to determine whether the degree of displacement may be associated with breast density and lesion histotype. METHODS: 380 patients underwent breast MR and second-look ultrasound. The MR and ultrasound lesion location within the breast gland, distances from anatomical landmarks (nipple, skin and pectoral muscle), spatial displacement (distance differences from the landmarks within the same breast region) and region displacement (breast region change) were prospectively evaluated. Differences between MR and ultrasound measurements, association between the degree of spatial displacement and both breast density and lesion histotypes were calculated. RESULTS: In 290/380 (76%) patients, 300 MR lesions were detected. 285/300 (95%) lesions were recognized on ultrasound. By comparing MR and ultrasound, spatial displacement occurred in 183/285 (64.3%) cases while region displacement in 102/285 (35.7%) cases with a circumferential movement along an arc centred on the nipple, having supine ultrasound as the reference standard. A significant association between the degree of lesion displacement and breast density was found (p < 0.00001) with a significant higher displacement in case of fatty breasts. No significant association between the degree of displacement and lesion histotype was found (p = 0.1). CONCLUSION: Lesion spatial displacement from MRI to ultrasound may occur especially in adipose breasts. Lesion-nipple distance and circumferential displacement from the nipple need to be considered for ultrasound lesion detection. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Second-look ultrasound breast lesion detection could be improved by calculating the lesion-nipple distance and considering that spatial displacement from MRI occurs with a circumferential movement along an arc centred on the nipple.

Unenhanced breast MRI (STIR, T2-weighted TSE, DWIBS): An accurate and alternative strategy for detecting and differentiating breast lesions.

PURPOSE: To assess the role of STIR, T2-weighted TSE and DWIBS sequences for detecting and characterizing breast lesions and to compare unenhanced (UE)-MRI results with contrast-enhanced (CE)-MRI and histological findings, having the latter as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred eighty consecutive patients (age range, 27-73 years; mean age±standard deviation (SD), 48.8±9.8years) underwent MR examination with a diagnostic protocol including STIR, T2-weighted TSE, THRIVE and DWIBS sequences. Two radiologists blinded to both dynamic sequences and histological findings evaluated in consensus STIR, T2-weighted TSE and DWIBS sequences and after two weeks CE-MRI images searching for breast lesions. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and diagnostic accuracy for UE-MRI and CE-MRI were calculated. UE-MRI results were also compared with CE- MRI. RESULTS: UE-MRI sequences obtained sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, PPV and NPV values of 94%, 79%, 86%, 79% and 94%, respectively. CE-MRI sequences obtained sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, PPV and NPV values of 98%, 83%, 90%, 84% and 98%, respectively. No statistically significant difference between UE-MRI and CE-MRI was found. CONCLUSION: Breast UE-MRI could represent an accurate diagnostic tool and a valid alternative to CE-MRI for evaluating breast lesions. STIR and DWIBS sequences allow to detect breast lesions while T2-weighted TSE sequences and ADC values could be useful for lesion characterization.

Role of multidetector computed tomography in evaluating incidentally detected breast lesions.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) does not represent the primary method for the evaluation of breast lesions; however, it can detect breast abnormalities, even when performed for other reasons related to thoracic structures. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential benefits of 320-row multidetector CT (MDCT) in evaluating and differentiating incidentally detected breast lesions by using vessel probe and 3D analysis software with net enhancement value. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Sixty-two breast lesions in 46 patients who underwent 320-row chest CT examination were retrospectively evaluated. CT scans were assessed searching for the presence, location, number, morphological features, and density of breast nodules. Net enhancement was calculated by subtracting precontrast density from the density obtained by postcontrast values. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and diagnostic accuracy of CT were calculated for morphological features and net enhancement. RESULTS: Thirty of 62 lesions were found to be malignant at histological examination and 32 were found to be benign. When morphological features were considered, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, and NPV of CT were 87%, 100%, 88%, 100%, and 50%, respectively. Based on net enhancement, CT reached a sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, and NPV of 100%, 94%, 97%, 94%, and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: MDCT allows to recognize and characterize breast lesions based on morphological features. Net enhancement can be proposed as an additional accurate feature of CT.