The Automation of Breast Ultrasonography and the Medical Time Dedicated to the Method / A automatização da ultrassonografia mamária e o tempo médico dedicado ao método

Abstract In this integrative review, we aimed to describe the records of time devoted by physicians to breast ultrasound in a review of articles in the literature, in order to observe whether the automation of the method enabled a reduction in these values. We selected articles from the Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) and MEDLINE databases, through Virtual Health Library (BVS), SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), PubMed, and Scopus. We obtained 561 articles, and, after excluding duplicates and screening procedures, 9 were selected, whose main information related to the guiding question of the research was synthesized and analyzed. It was concluded that the automation of breast ultrasound represents a possible strategy for optimization of the medical time dedicated to the method, but this needs to be better evaluated in comparative studies between both methods (traditional and automated), with methodology directed to the specific investigation of this potentiality.

Resumo Na presente revisão integrativa, objetivamos descrever os registros de tempo dedicado pelos médicos à ultrassonografia mamária em revisão de artigos da literatura, visando observar se a automação do método possibilitou redução destes valores. Selecionamos artigos nas bases de dados Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) e MEDLINE, através da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), PubMed e Scopus. Obtivemos 561 artigos e, após a exclusão de artigos duplicados e procedimentos de triagem, foram selecionados 9 artigos, cujas informações principais relativas à pergunta norteadora da pesquisa foram sintetizadas e analisadas. Foi concluído que a automação da ultrassonografia mamária representa uma possível estratégia de otimização do tempo médico dedicado ao método; porém, essa conclusão necessita ser melhor avaliada em estudos comparativos entre ambos os métodos (tradicional e automatizado), com metodologia direcionada à investigação específica desta potencialidade.

Computer-Aided Detection with Automated Breast Ultrasonography for Suspicious Lesions Detected on Breast MRI

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a computer-aided detection (CAD) system used with automated breast ultrasonography (ABUS) for suspicious lesions detected on breast MRI, and CAD-false lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included a total of 40 patients diagnosed with breast cancer who underwent ABUS (ACUSON S2000) to evaluate multiple suspicious lesions found on MRI. We used CAD (QVCAD™) in all the ABUS examinations. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of CAD and analyzed the characteristics of CAD-detected lesions and the factors underlying false-positive and false-negative cases. We also analyzed false-positive lesions with CAD on ABUS. RESULTS: Of a total of 122 suspicious lesions detected on MRI in 40 patients, we excluded 51 daughter nodules near the main breast cancer within the same quadrant and included 71 lesions. We also analyzed 23 false-positive lesions using CAD with ABUS. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of CAD (for 94 lesions) with ABUS were 75.5%, 44.4%, 59.7%, and 62.5%, respectively. CAD facilitated the detection of 81.4% (35/43) of the invasive ductal cancer and 84.9% (28/33) of the invasive ductal cancer that showed a mass (excluding non-mass). CAD also revealed 90.3% (28/31) of the invasive ductal cancers measuring larger than 1 cm (excluding non-mass and those less than 1 cm). The mean sizes of the true-positive versus false-negative mass lesions were 2.08 ± 0.85 cm versus 1.6 ± 1.28 cm (P < 0.05). False-positive lesions included sclerosing adenosis and usual ductal hyperplasia. In a total of 23 false cases of CAD, the most common (18/23) cause was marginal or subareolar shadowing, followed by three simple cysts, a hematoma, and a skin wart. CONCLUSION: CAD with ABUS showed promising sensitivity for the detection of invasive ductal cancer showing masses larger than 1 cm on MRI.

INTRAPAPILLARY DUCT DILATION: A NEW ULTRASONOGRAPHY SIGN / Dilatação ductal intrapapilar: um novo sinal ultrassonográfico

Objective: To evaluate a not yet described ultrasound finding, the dilation of the intra-papillary portion of the lactiferous duct in patients with or without abnormal nipple discharge Methods: 24 patients with pathological nipple discharge and intrapapillary duct dilation and 1,255 asymptomatic patients (control group) were studied. Results: Just one asymptomatic patient had intrapapillary duct dilation. Among the symptomatic patients, 19 were biopsied: ten with exclusively percutaneous approach, six with exclusively surgical approach, and three with an initial percutaneous and then a surgical approach. There was one invasive carcinoma and two carcinomas in situ (15.8% of the biopsied patients). In 11 patients, a papilloma was found, three of them with atypia. In one patient, ultrasonography identified intrapapillary extension of microcalcifications, and another patient a changed duct diametrically opposite to the duct which had a trigger point. In these two patients, the examination changed the treatment strategy. In two other patients, an extra-papillary finding was identified only after the intrapapillary duct dilation has been encountered. Conclusion: The intrapapillary duct dilation is a new ultrasonography sign that adds sensitivity to the evaluation of the patient with pathological nipple discharge, besides helping to find the lesion and to guide the treatment. Further research is needed to determine its prevalence and its positive and negative predictive values for cancer, atypia and papilloma

Objetivo: Avaliar um achado de ultrassonografia inédito (dilatação intrapapilar do duto lactífero) em pacientes portadoras de fluxo papilar patológico e em pacientes assintomáticas. Métodos: Foram estudadas 24 portadoras de fluxo papilar patológico e dilatação ductal intrapapilar e 1.255 pacientes assintomáticas (grupo controle). Resultados: Apenas uma paciente assintomática apresentou dilatação ductal intrapapilar. Entre as pacientes sintomáticas, 19 foram biopsiadas, 10 com abordagem exclusivamente percutânea, 6 com abordagem exclusivamente cirúrgica e 3 com abordagem inicialmente percutânea e depois cirúrgica. Houve um carcinoma invasor e dois carcinomas in situ (15,8% das pacientes biopsiadas). Em 11 pacientes foi encontrado papiloma, 3 deles com atipias. Em uma paciente a ultrassonografia identificou extensão intrapapilar de microcalcificações e em outra, um duto alterado diametralmente oposto ao duto com sinal do gatilho clínico. Nessas duas pacientes o exame mudou a estratégia de tratamento. Em duas pacientes, um achado extrapapilar só foi identificado após o encontro da dilatação ductal intrapapilar. Conclusão: A dilatação ductal intrapapilar é novo sinal ultrassonográfico que agrega sensibilidade à avaliação da paciente com fluxo papilar patológico, além de ajudar a encontrar a lesão e a orientar o tratamento. São necessárias pesquisas adicionais para determinar sua prevalência e seus valores preditivos positivo e negativo para câncer, atipias e papilomas.

Can Doppler or contrast-enhanced ultrasound analysis add diagnostically important information about the nature of breast lesions?

OBJECTIVES: Despite evidence suggesting that Doppler ultrasonography can help to differentiate between benign and malignant breast lesions, it is rarely applied in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to determine whether certain vascular features of breast masses observed by duplex Doppler and color Doppler ultrasonography (before and/or after microbubble contrast injection) add information to the gray-scale analysis and support the Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification. METHODS: Seventy solid lesions were prospectively evaluated with gray-scale ultrasonography, color Doppler ultrasonography, and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. The morphological analysis and lesion vascularity were correlated with the histological results. RESULTS: Percutaneous core biopsies revealed that 25/70 (17.5%) lesions were malignant, while 45 were benign. Hypervascular lesions with tortuous and central vessels, a resistive index (RI)≥0.73 before contrast injection, and an RI≥0.75 after contrast injection were significantly predictive of malignancy (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The combination of gray-scale ultrasonography data with unenhanced or enhanced duplex Doppler and color Doppler US data can provide diagnostically useful information. These techniques can be easily implemented because Doppler devices are already present in most health centers. .

Parenchymal Cavernous Hemangioma of the Breast showing Atypical Imaging Features: A Case Report

Vascular tumors of the breast are uncommon and most are angiosarcomas. Breast hemangioma, a rare benign vascular tumor, is usually found as a superficially located mass. We present an unusual case of breast hemangioma located in parenchyma with atypical imaging features.

Invasive Lobular Carcinoma Mimicking Fat Necrosis in Breast: A Case Report

Invasive lobular carcinoma is the second most common breast malignancy. Mammographic finding of invasive lobular carcinoma is often subtle or negative due to its histological feature showing infiltration of tumor cells into surrounding tissue with scanty fibrotic reaction. Thus, ultrasound plays an important role in detection of invasive lobular carcinoma. We report here on our experience with a 70-year-old female who had invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast with unique ultrasound findings; a mixed hyper- and hypoechoic mass at the fatty layer mimicking fat necrosis.

Invasive Micropapillary Carcinoma in Breast Presented as Hyperechoic Mass with Coarse Macrocalcifications: A Case Report

Invasive micropapillary carcinoma is a rare, clinically aggressive variant of invasive ductal carcinoma. Imaging findings of invasive micropapillary carcinoma are not specific, and associated microcalcifications are frequent. Our case presented with unique radiological features: a mass with coarse macrocalcifications on mammography and breast computed tomography and a hyperechoic mass on breast ultrasound. Macrocalcifications and hyperechogenicity are not usual malignant characteristics. We report here on our experience with a 55-year-old woman who had invasive micropapillary carcinoma in the breast with unique radiological and pathological findings.

Avaliação de parâmetros morfométricos calculados a partir do contorno de lesões de mama em ultrassonografias na distinção das categorias do sistema BI-RADS / Evaluation of morphometric parameters calculated from breast lesion contours at ultrasonography in the distinction among BI-RADS categories

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o desempenho de parâmetros morfométricos, calculados a partir do contorno de lesões de mama em ultrassonografias, na quantificação de suas características morfológicas e na distinção das categorias 2, 3, 4 e 5 do sistema de classificação ecográfica BI-RADS. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: A casuística é composta por 40 casos com registro ortogonal de pacientes submetidas à cirurgia. A partir das lesões segmentadas, foram calculados cinco parâmetros morfométricos para quantificar o contorno e a forma das lesões: razão de área, razão de superposição, valor residual normalizado, circularidade e razão entre largura e profundidade. A análise discriminante linear foi usada para selecionar os parâmetros mais significativos na distinção das características morfológicas das lesões, usando como figura de mérito a curva ROC. RESULTADOS: A razão de superposição foi capaz de diferenciar estatisticamente as lesões classificadas como BI-RADS 3 daquelas classificadas como BI-RADS 4 (a = 5 por cento; p = 0,015), sendo, também, o parâmetro morfométrico que apresentou melhor desempenho na diferenciação entre lesões malignas e benignas. CONCLUSÃO: Este resultado indica que a análise morfométrica de lesões de mama em ultrassonografias tem potencial para auxiliar na distinção de pacientes que deveriam ser submetidas à biópsia, daquelas que poderiam manter controle por métodos de imagem.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the performance of morphometric parameters calculated from breast lesion contours at ultrasonography, in the quantification of morphological features and in the distinction among BI-RADS categories 2, 3, 4 and 5. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present casuistry included 40 cases, with orthogonal imaging of patients submitted to surgery. Based on the lesions segmentation, the following five morphometric parameters were calculated: area ratio, overlap ratio, normalized residual value, circularity and depth-to-width ratio. Linear discriminant analysis was applied to select the best parameters, and ROC curve was utilized as figure of merit. RESULTS: Overlap ratio was able to statistically distinguish breast lesions classified as BI-RADS 3 from others classified as BI-RADS 4 (a = 5 percent; p = 0.015). Additionally, such parameter presented the best performance in the differentiation between malignant and benign breast lesions. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that morphometric analysis of breast lesions at ultrasonography seems to be helpful in distinguishing patients who should undergo biopsy from those to be followed-up only with imaging methods.

Breast ultrasound diagnostic performance and outcomes for mass lesions using Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System category 0 mammogram

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes and diagnostic performance of ultrasonography after a Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (Bi-RADS) category 0 mammogram. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed 4,384 consecutive patients who underwent a screening mammography from January 2005 to July 2006; 391 of the 4,384 exams were classified as Bi-RADS category 0. After exclusions, 241 patients received subsequent sonogram. Ultrasonography was considered diagnostic when the Bi-RADS category was changed to 2, 4, or 5, and it was considered indeterminate (Bi-RADS 3) when the results indicated that the patients should return for a mammographic follow-up. The outcomes of these patients were assessed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 53.3 years (ranging from 35 to 81). Of the 241 patients, ultrasonography was considered diagnostic in 146 (60.6 percent) patients and indeterminate in 95 (39.4 percent) patients. In the diagnostic group, 111 out of 146 patients (70.2 percent) had a sonogram result of Bi-RADS category 2 after a 2-year follow-up without evidence of malignancy. Furthermore, 35 out of 146 patients (29.8 percent) had a suspicious sonogram with a result of Bi-RADS category 4. After a tissue sampling procedure, 10 patients were confirmed to have breast cancer, and 25 had benign histopathological features without any evidence of malignancy after a 2-year follow-up. The sensitivity of ultrasonography was 100 percent, specificity was 89.1 percent, and overall accuracy was 89.6 percent. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the degree of resolution and its diagnostic performance, ultrasonography was determined to be an excellent method for the subsequent evaluation of Bi-RADS 0 mammograms.

Diffuse Infiltrative Lesion of the Breast: Clinical and Radiologic Features

The purpose of this paper is to show the clinical and radiologic features of a variety of diffuse, infiltrative breast lesions, as well to review the relevant literature. Radiologists must be familiar with the various conditions that can diffusely involve the breast, including normal physiologic changes, benign disease and malignant neoplasm.

Ultrasonographic Finding of Mondor's Disease: A Case Report

Mondor's disease is a rare condition involving the breast and anterior chest wall and it is characterized by superficial thrombophlebitis. The usual clinical manifestation of the disease is the acute development of a painful and palpable cord or mass on the breast, and it shows a benign process, but it can be accompanied with malignant disease. On ultrasonography, the lesion is seen as a long tubular anechoic structure with a beaded appearance, and this should be differentiated from a dilated duct or sparganosis. We report here on our experience with a 35-year-old woman who had Mondor's disease with the typical clinical presentation and imaging findings.

Sensitivity and Specificity of Screening Mammographies and Ultrasonographies Performed in Women at Seven Health Promotion Centers for One year

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of screening mammography and ultrasonography for breast examinations and we assessed the clinical usefulness of breast ultrasound for cancer screening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of all the women who visited the health promotion center of seven medical institutions from Mar 2004 to Feb 2005, we compared the sensitivity and specificity between a single use of mammography and mammography with ultrasonography for the patients who underwent both mammography and ultrasonography. Here, the reference criteria were the follow-up and the histopathology, which were performed after one year. RESULTS: A total of 1123 patients underwent both mammography and ultrasonography and they could be followed up for a year. For the 1123 patients who underwent both mammography and ultrasonography, the sensitivity and specificity of a single use of mammography were 14.3% and 86.9%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of mammography with ultrasonography were 85.7% and 85.9%, respectively. These results showed that the sensitivity was significantly increased when mammography was combined with ultrasonography (< 0.05). CONCLUSION: The sensitivity was improved for the cases that underwent both mammography and ultrasonography.

Breast Ultrasound Examination with Video Monitor System: A Satisfaction Survey among Patients

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the patients satisfaction with a newly established video-monitor system and the associated basic items for performing breast ultrasound exams by conducting a survey among the patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 349 patients were invited to take the survey and they had undergone breast ultrasound examination once during the 3 months after the monitor system has been introduced. The questionnaire was composed of 8 questions, 4 of which were about the basic items such as age, gender and the reason of their taking the breast ultrasound exam, their preference for the gender of the examiner and the desired length of time for the examination. The other 4 question were about their satisfaction with the video monitor. The patients were divided into two groups according to the purposes of taking the exams, which were screening or diagnostic purposes. The results were compared between these 2 groups. The satisfaction with the video monitor system was assessed by using a scoring system that ranged from 1 to 5. RESULTS: For the total patients, the screening group was composed of 124 patients and the diagnostic group was composed of 225. The reasons why the patients wanted to take the examinations in the diagnostic group varied. The questionnaire about the preference of the gender of the examiner showed that 81.5% in the screening group and 79.1% in the diagnostic group preferred a woman doctor. The required, suitable time for the breast ultrasound examination was 5 to 10 minutes or 10 to 15 minutes for about 70% of the patients. The mean satisfaction score for the video monitor system was as high as 3.95 point. The portion of patients in each group who answered over 3 points for their satisfaction with the monitor system was 88.7% and 94.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that patients preferred 5-15 minutes for the length of the examination time and a female examiner. We also confirmed high patient satisfaction with the video monitor system.

Análise computacional da textura de tumores de mama em imagens por ultrassom de pacientes submetidas a cirurgia conservadora / Computer-assisted analysis of breast tumors texture on sonographic images of patients submitted to breast-conserving surgery

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as características de textura de lesões de mama em imagens por ultrassom de pacientes submetidas a cirurgia conservadora que apresentaram, ou não, recidiva. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: As imagens de ultrassom de 36 pacientes submetidas a cirurgia conservadora, com 12 tendo apresentado recidiva local e 24 que não apresentaram recidiva no local da cirurgia, foram divididas em: 3 malignas na mama oposta, 7 nódulos benignos, 5 hiperplasias atípicas e 9 alterações fibrocísticas. A textura das lesões foi quantificada utilizando-se dez parâmetros calculados da matriz de coocorrência e da curva de complexidade. Análise discriminante linear foi aplicada aos parâmetros para discriminação de lesões de mama em pacientes submetidas a cirurgia conservadora que apresentaram, ou não, recidiva. RESULTADOS: Avaliando-se a capacidade dos parâmetros em distinguir as recidivas do grupo composto por lesões não recidivas benignas e hiperplasias atípicas, obteve-se especificidade de 100 por cento, com valores de acurácia e sensibilidade superiores a 91 por cento. Num segundo teste, foi possível distinguir as cinco hiperplasias, das lesões não recidivas benignas. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar do número reduzido de casos, os resultados obtidos são encorajadores, sugerindo que o uso da quantificação da textura pode auxiliar na diferenciação entre lesões benignas, hiperplasias atípicas e lesões malignas de origem recidiva.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the features of breast lesion texture on sonographic images of patients submitted to breast-conserving surgery, with or without tumor recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sonographic images of 36 patients submitted to conservative surgery for breast cancer, 12 of them with, and 24 without local recurrence, included 3 contralateral malignant lesions, 7 benign lumps (3 cysts and 4 fibroadenomas), 5 atypical hyperplasias and 9 fibrocystic changes. The quantification of features of breast lesion texture was based on ten parameters calculated from gray-level co-occurrence matrix and complexity curve. Linear discriminant analysis was applied to the texture parameters for differentiating between breast lesions in women submitted to conservative surgery with and without tumor recurrence. RESULTS: The assessment of performance of texture parameters in distinguishing lesion recurrences in a group including benign lumps and atypical hyperplasias demonstrated specificity of 100 percent, and accuracy and sensitivity > 91 percent. Another test demonstrated that texture parameters were useful in the differentiation between atypical hyperplasias and benign lumps. CONCLUSION: Despite the limited number of cases, the present results can be considered as promising, suggesting that texture parameters may help in the differentiation among benign lumps, atypical hyperplasias and recurrent malignant lesions.

Medullary carcinoma of the breast: Role of contrastenhanced MRI in the diagnosis of multiple breast lesions

Medullary carcinoma is a rare breast carcinoma with a syncytial growth pattern and high-grade cytology. It can be difficult to diagnose and may be missed on conventional imaging as the findings may overlap with benign lesions i.e. fibroadenomas. The authors report a case of a 25-year-old female who presented with multifocal breast lumps diagnosed with medullary carcinoma and fibroadenomas. Imaging and pathological correlation with contrast-enhanced MRI are presented in the diagnosis of these lesions.

The Role of Ultrasound-Guided Vacuum-Assisted Removal of Gynecomastia

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of performing ultrasound (US)-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsies for the treatment (mammotome excision) of gynecomastia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 2005 and December 2006, nine male patients underwent US-guided mammotome excision for eleven cases of true gynecomastia. The patient ages ranged from 14 to 55 years (mean age, 32.3 years). US-guided mammotome excision was performed with an 11-gauge needle in seven cases and an 8-gauge needle in four cases. After the procedure, the cigarette method using gauze packing was performed. The number of samples, procedure time and presence of complications were evaluated. Scheduled follow-up physical and US examinations were performed after three and six months. RESULTS: For 11 cases of US-guided mammotome excision of gynecomastia, the number of samples ranged from 12-126 (mean, 66) and the procedure time ranged from 10-42 minutes (mean time, 25.1 minutes). Clinical significant complications did not occur immediately after the procedure and complications were not seen after a follow-up examination in any of the cases. At the 3- and 6-month follow up examinations, all of the patients showed a normal male physical appearance on a physical examination and there was no evidence of hypoechoic glandular tissues as seen on ultrasonograms. CONCLUSION: US-guided mammotome excision is effective for the treatment of small, glandular true gynecomastia and is suggested as a new modality to replace the need for surgery or liposuction.

The Relationship between Body Mass Index and Mammographic Density in Korean Women

BACKGROUND: There have been very few studies on the relationship between obesity and dense breast as risk factors of breast cancer in Korean women. Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between BMI and mammographic density in Korean women. METHODS: We recruited 332 women without prior history of breast cancer, breast surgery, radiotherapy, hormone replacement therapy, and family history of breast cancer who underwent screening for mammography and completed a self-administered questionnaire in one general hospital. On the basis of ACR BI-RADS breast composition, four density patterns were classified repeatedly by a radiologist. RESULTS: The mean age, Body Mass Index (BMI), the proportion of postmenopausal women of the study population were 50.4 years, 23.2 kg/m2, and 29.8%, respectively. The proportion of extremely dense breast women was 100% in the underweight group, 77.3% in the normal weight group, 41.4% in class 1 obesity group, and 25% in class 2 obesity group, decreased with increasing BMI. The odds Ratio of BMI to extremely dense breast was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72~0.93, P value=0.002) after adjustment for age, menache, menopause, and BI-RADS assessment category in logistic regression. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that the BMI was negatively correlated with mammographic density as well in Korea. Therefore, primary physicians should consider sensitive additional method for breast cancer screening especially in underweight and normal weight Korean women.

Resolution of Hypoechoic Mass by Fine-Needle Aspiration / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Small breast cysts, which can be resolved by fine-needle aspiration, are often presented as hypoechoic masses on ultrasound examinations. They can be misinterpreted as benign tumors and cause unnecessary follow-ups or biopsies. The aim of this study was to find out the proportion of atypical breast cysts, which can be resolved by needle aspiration, among hypoechoic masses less than 1 cm in size and to investigate the relationship between the characteristics of a mass and its probability of being cystic. METHODS: Between March 2003 and May 2003, we found and aspirated 119 hypoechoic masses less than 1 cm in size from 104 consecutive patients. RESULTS: Mass size ranged from 2.5 mm to 9.8 mm, with a median size of 5.5 mm. Among the 119 hypoechoic masses, 40 masses (33.6%) were cystic and 79 masses (66.4%) were solid. Among the 40 cystic masses, 37 were completely resolved by needle aspiration, one mass was reduced to half, and the 2 remaining masses were reduced to a third of their sizes. In patients in their 20's, 11.1% of the hypoechoic masses were cystic masses, the ratios for patients in their 30's, 40's, 50's, and 60's were 11.4%, 32.0%, 76.2%, and 75%, respectively (P0.05). CONCLUSION: Needle aspiration must be considered in small hypoechoic masses not speculated as definite solid masses.

Mondor's Disease of the Breast: Clinical Manifestations and Imaging Findings

Mondor's disease or thrombophlebitis of the superficial veins of the breast is a rare benign condition and a self-limiting disease. The combination of the clinical manifestations and the imaging (mammographic & sonographic) findings is the typical sign of Mondor's disease of the breast. Therefore, an understanding of such an entity and knowledge of the clinical and imaging findings will make it possible to avoid the unnecessary biopsy or surgery. We report the case of a 53-year-old woman diagnosing as Mondor's diasease, who underwent evaluation of a tender, papable cord- like mass in her left breast associated with discoloration of the overlying skin.

Comparison of the Diagnostic Value between Mammography and Mammography with Breast Ultrasonography in Diagnosing Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND: Because the sensitivity of mammography (MAM) is lower in young women than in old and in women with dense breast than those without, many physicians utilize breast ultrasonography (US) with MAM. But the addictive value of US is unclear. This study compared the diagnostic value between MAM and MAM US. METHODS: Between September, 2002, and February, 2003, there were 89 cases of breast disease confirmed by surgery, that had both MAM and US results. The results of MAM and US were classifed by Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) and were categorized as positive or negative. Among the positive results, BI-RADS Category 0 and Category 3 with recommendation of other test were regarded as an intermediate result. RESULTS: Among all 89 cases, 38 cases were malignancies. The receiver operating characteristic curves showed non-significant increase in diagnostic value by adding US to MAM. The sensitivity of MAM was non-significantly higher in above-50-years women than in below- 49-years women and in women with dense breast than in women with non-dense breast. Among positive results of MAM, 21 cases were 'intermediate results'. US correctly regraded 8 benign lesions from 19 cases of false-positive MAM and 1 extra malignancy with palpable lump from 4 false-negative MAM. CONCLUSION: MAM is a valuable test in diagnosing breast cancer. US is a valuable complementary test to MAM in evaluating palpable lump with negative MAM and intermediate result of MAM.