Improving Time to Diagnostic Resolution in the Breast Imaging Service: A Tertiary Center's Experience and Process of Improvement.

OBJECTIVE: Breast imaging services often experience a significant degree of variability in patient flow, leading to delay in time to diagnostic resolution, commonly referred to as time to resolution (TTR). This study applies Lean Six Sigma Methodology (LSSM) to reduce TTR and enhance patient outcomes. METHODS: This study was IRB-approved. A baseline audit was done using cases of mammographic recalls (BI-RADS 0) to measure baseline TTR. Multidisciplinary meetings with all members of the breast imaging service, alongside a study of patient complaint data, were utilized to identify issues that were causing prolonged TTR. Following that, possible solutions were proposed and implemented. A post-implementation audit was conducted, and the resulting TTRs were compared. Significant differences in TTR between the pre- and post-solution implementation were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: During the baseline audit of 8 months, 589 cases of mammographic recalls (BI-RADS 0) were identified, and the resulting average TTR was 86.3 days. During the post-implementation period of 3 months, 370 mammographic recalls (BI-RADS 0) occurred, with a resulting average TTR of 36.0 days. After applying LSSM, TTR was reduced by 58.3% (P < 0.01). Some changes implemented included training the coordinators, establishing a rapid diagnostic clinic using previously underutilized equipment, and having radiologists assigned full-time to the breast imaging service. CONCLUSION: Our team has successfully managed to identify various causes behind the prolonged TTR using LSSM. Team collaboration was essential to study and decide on a more achievable TTR.

Unusual Male Breast Lesions.

Most of male breast masses are benign with gynecomastia being the most common entity encountered. Primary male breast cancer accounts for less than 1% of the total number of breast cancer. Male breast can be affected by a variety of conditions affecting the female breast with less frequency due to the lack of hormonal influence and consequent glandular sub-development. Imaging features of male breast masses are quite similar to the female breast. Therefore, using the knowledge of the female breast and applying it may help in the diagnosis and management of male breast abnormalities. In this article, we aim to review a variety of unusual male breast masses. We discuss the demographics of male breast tumors, describe the diagnostic algorithm for evaluating male breast masses, and review the imaging features of rare breast masses and mimickers of male breast cancer.

Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia of the breast: a case report of a 12-year-old girl.

Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH) of the breast is a benign lesion, characterized by a dense proliferation of stromal mesenchymal cells of myofibroblastic origin forming empty, slit-like channels. We report PASH in a 12-year-old girl with a huge rapidly enlarged right breast. Biopsy of the mass showed histopathologic features characteristic of PASH. Immunohistochemical studies revealed diffuse positive membranous immunoreactivity to CD34. Although it is a benign lesion, lumpectomy was performed to minimize the damage from developing breast tissue.

Incidence of breast cancer in patients with pure flat epithelial atypia diagnosed at core-needle biopsy of the breast.

PURPOSE: to determine the frequency of malignancy in subsequent breast excisions following core-needle biopsy (CNB) diagnosis of pure flat epithelial atypia (pFEA) and to evaluate the imaging features of the associated tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 8,996 image-guided CNB (2002-2010) identified 115 cases of FEA not associated with other atypia. Patients with history of breast cancer or radiation therapy were excluded. One hundred four cases (women) with pFEA (mean age 51 years, range 29-77 years) were reviewed. Stereotactic CNB was performed in 79 (76%) cases and ultrasound (US)-guided CNB in 25 (24%) cases. In 99 cases 14G needles were used, and 10G vacuum-assisted devices were used in 5 cases. Ninety-four patients had subsequent excision. Ten patients declined excision, and imaging follow-up (mean of 36 months) is available. The upgrade rate of pFEA was defined as the number of patients diagnosed with invasive carcinoma (IC) or carcinoma in situ (CIS) divided by the total number of patients. RESULTS: 10 of 104 (9.6%) patients were diagnosed with cancer: 9 presented as calcifications (89% fine pleomorphic and amorphous) and 1 case as a mammographically occult mass. The size of calcifications was not statistically significant (P=0.358). Five cases had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and five cases had IC (ductal and lobular) presenting as amorphous and pleomorphic calcifications. CONCLUSIONS: The upgrade rate of pFEA in our series was 9.6%. The presence of 4.8% of invasive cancers is substantial and warrants continuing management with surgical excision in all cases.

Role of Ultrasonography in Breast Cancer Imaging.

Familiarity with breast ultrasound in terms of technique, indications, anatomy, and interpretation is vital for proper breast examinations. Ultrasound is a basic method of approaching breast masses and an important tool in interventional breast procedures. Combination of mammogram and ultrasound examinations when indicated is an effective method in increasing rate of cancer detection. Second-look ultrasound is an effective method to localize lesions missed in the initial scanning.

Primary alveolar capillary dysplasia (acinar dysplasia) and surfactant protein B deficiency: a clinical, radiological and pathological study.

BACKGROUND: Full-term infants with severe and prolonged respiratory distress represent a diagnostic challenge. Plain radiographic findings may be nonspecific or similar to classic surfactant deficiency disease for infants with surfactant protein B deficiency and acinar dysplasia. OBJECTIVES: To describe the similar clinical-radiolgical patterns of two rare neonatal conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six newborn babies with severe respiratory distress at birth demonstrated clinical and radiographically prolonged and progressive diffuse pulmonary opacification. RESULTS: All infants demonstrated hyperinflation of the lungs. The diffuse hazy opacification, which varied from mild (n=3) to moderate (n=3), progressed to severe diffuse opacification preceding death, which occurred at 12-36 days of life. Open lung biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of primary alveolar acinar dysplasia (AD) in four infants and surfactant protein B deficiency (SPBD) in two infants. CONCLUSIONS: In full-term babies with unexplained progressive respiratory distress from birth and progress of radiological changes, both AD and SPBD should be considered.