Target sign in COVID-19, radiological interpretation and diagnostic contribution of digital thoracic tomosynthesis.

INTRODUCTION: Our objectives are: To describe the radiological semiology, clinical-analytical features and prognosis related to the target sign (TS) in COVID-19. To determine whether digital thoracic tomosynthesis (DTT) improves the diagnostic ability of radiography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive, single-centre, case series study, accepted by our ethical committee. Radiological, clinical, analytical and follow-up characteristics of patients with COVID-19 and TS on radiography and DTT between November 2020 and January 2021 were analysed. RESULTS: Eleven TS were collected in 7 patients, median age 35 years, 57% male. All TS presented with a central nodule and a peripheral ring, and in at least 82%, the lung in between was of normal density. All TS were located in peripheral, basal regions and 91% in posterior regions. TS were multiple in 43%. Contiguous TS shared the peripheral ring. Other findings related to pneumonia were associated in 86% of patients. DTT detected 82% more TS than radiography. Only one patient underwent a CT angiography of the pulmonary arteries, positive for acute pulmonary thromboembolism. Seventy-one per cent presented with pleuritic pain. No distinctive laboratory findings or prognostic worsening were detected. CONCLUSIONS: TS in COVID-19 predominates in peripheral and declining regions and can be multiple. Pulmonary thromboembolism was detected in one case. It occurs in young people, frequently with pleuritic pain and does not worsen the prognosis. DTT detects more than 80 % of TS than radiography.

Tomosíntesis digital para el cribado de cáncer de mama, revisión sistemática y evaluación de la calidad de los metaanálisis / Digital tomosynthesis for breast cancer screening. Systematic review and quality assessment of meta-analyses

Objetivo: revisar y evaluar los metaanálisis sobre la tomosíntesis digital para el cribado del cáncer de mama. Métodos: se realizó una revisión sistemática de los estudios de metaanálisis utilizando los términos de búsqueda «Digital breast tomosynthesis for breast cancer screening» en las bases de datos PubMed y Embase. Los metaanálisis finalmente seleccionados se calificaron con la herramienta de evaluación AMSTAR 2. Resultados: las búsquedas en las bases de datos encontraron 195 artículos de los cuales, después del cribado y la lectura completa de los artículos seleccionados, finalmente se extrajeron 5 para análisis cualitativo. La calificación de los metaanálisis revisadoscon la herramienta de evaluación AMSTAR 2 encontró que la confianza general de sus resultados es críticamente baja. Conclusiones: los metaanálisis evaluados concluyeron en que hay un aumento en la tasa de detección del cáncer con la inclusión de la tomosíntesis digital en el cribado del cáncer de mama. Sin embargo, este estudio encontró con el uso de la herramienta de evaluación AMSTAR 2, que los resultados de los metaanálisis evaluados, no son confiables en el resumen que hacen de sus estudios. (AU)

Objective: To review and evaluate meta-analyzes on digital tomosynthesis for breast cancer screening. Methods: A systematic review of meta-analyzes studies was undertaken using the search terms “Digital breast tomosynthesis for breast cancer screening” in PubMed and Embase databases. The finally selected meta-analyzes were rated with the AMSTAR 2 assessment tool. Results: The database searches found 195 articles of which after screening and full readings of articles selected, five of them were finally extracted for qualitative analysis. The rating of the meta-analyzes reviewed with the AMSTAR 2 assessment tool found the overall confidence of their results is critically low. Conclusions: The meta-analyzes evaluated concluded that there is an increase in the cancer detection rate with the inclusion of digital tomosynthesis in breast cancer screening. However, this study found with the use of the AMSTAR 2 evaluation tool that the results of the evaluated meta-analyzes are not reliable in the summary they make of their studies. (AU)

Influencia de la incorporación de la tomosíntesis en un centro de diagnóstico mamario / The impact of integrating breast tomosynthesis in a Breast Diagnostic Center / Influência da incorporação da tomossíntese em um centro diagnóstico de mama

Resumen: Introducción: se han producido múltiples avances tecnológicos en la historia de la mamografía. En los años más recientes surge la mamografía digital directa con tomosíntesis con mayores capacidades para detectar el cáncer. Objetivo: evaluar el efecto de la nueva tecnología en el desempeño de la mamografía, en la Unidad de Diagnóstico Mamario del Hospital Británico. Material y métodos: se compara el desempeño de la mamografía durante los años 2019-2020 en relación con los años 2010-2018. En el año 2019 se sustituyó la tecnología anterior por un mamógrafo digital directo con tomosíntesis, Hologic modelo Selenia Dimensions. Resultados: en los años 2019 a 2020 se realizaron 10.725 mamografías. Se detectaron 84 cánceres y la tasa de detección de cáncer fue de 8/1.000. El VPP fue de 35%. En los años 2010 a 2018 se realizaron 45.438 mamografías. Se detectaron 229 cánceres y la tasa de detección de cáncer fue de 5/1.000. EL VPP fue de 40%. En relación a las manifestaciones imagenológicas, se destaca el aumento de las microcalcificaciones en el período 2019-2020, que pasaron de ser 7% de los casos, a ser 19% de los casos. Las distorsiones aumentaron de 11% a 13%. En relación a los tipos histológicos de cáncer, se destaca el porcentaje del carcinoma ductal in situ (CDIS) que fue 4 veces superior en el período 2019-2020 en relación al anterior (17% de todos los casos detectados). Conclusiones: con la incorporación de la tomosíntesis aumentó 60% la tasa de detección de cáncer y el porcentaje de CDIS aumentó 4 veces.

Abstract: Introduction: significant technological progress has been made in the history of mammography. Recently, direct digital mammography plus tomosynthesis arrived and improved breast cancer screening. Objective: to evaluate the effects of new technology in the performance of mammography, at the Breast Diagnostic Service of the British Hospital. Method: mammography performance during 2019- 2020 was compared to that between 2010 and 2018. In 2019 the previous tehcnology was substituted by a direct digital mammogram with tomosynthesis, Hologic, Selenia Dimensions model. Results: 10.725 mammographies were done in 2019-2020. Cancer was detected in 84 cases and the cancer detection rate was 8 per 1000 persons. PPV was 35%. 45.438 mammographies were done in 2010-2018. Cancer was detected in 229 cases and the cancer detection rate was 5 per 1.000 persons. PPV was 40%. As to images, it is worth pointing out an increase in microcalcifications between 2019 and 2020, when they grew from 7% of cases to 19% of cases and distortions increased from 11% to 13%. DCIS was 4 times greater in 2019-2020 when compare to the previous period of time (17% of all detected cases). Conclusions: the integration of tomosynthesis increased 60% the cancer detection rate and the DCIS was 4 times greater.

Resumo: Introdução: a história da mamografia registra vários avanços tecnológicos. Nos anos mais recentes, a mamografia digital direta com tomossíntese surgiu com uma maior capacidade de detectar a presença de câncer. Em 2019 a Unidade de Diagnóstico de Mama (UDM) do Hospital Britânico no Uruguai, incorporou um mamógrafo digital direto com tomossíntese, Hologic modelo Selenia Dimensions. Objetivo: avaliar desempenho do mamógrafo digital direto com tomossíntese na UDM. Material e métodos: faz-se uma comparação dos resultados das mamografias durante dois períodos 2019-2020 e 2010-2018. Resultados: no período 2019 a 2020 foram realizadas 10.725 mamografias; 84 cânceres foram detectados com una taxa de detecção de 8/1000. O valor preditivo positivo (VPP) foi de 35%. No período 2010-2018, foram realizadas 45.438 mamografias, 229 cânceres foram detectados com una taxa de detecção de 5/1000. O VPP foi de 40%. Em relação às manifestações de imagem, destaca-se o aumento das microcalcificações no período 2019-2020, que passou de 7% para 19% dos casos. As distorções aumentaram de 11% para 13%. Em relação aos tipos histológicos de câncer, destaca-se a porcentagem de carcinoma ductal in situ (CDIS), que foi quatro vezes maior no período 2019-2020 do que no anterior (17% do total de casos detectados). Conclusões: com a incorporação da tomossíntese, a taxa de detecção de câncer aumentou 60% e a porcentagem de CDIS aumentou quatro vezes.

The use of digital tomosynthesis in rheumatology: a systematic review of the literature focused on four diseases. / Uso de la tomosíntesis digital en reumatología: revisión sistemática de la literatura en cuatro patologías.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Digital tomosynthesis has proven useful in the evaluation of damage to joints. This study aims to describe the most common digital tomosynthesis findings for four rheumatological entities and to compare the usefulness of this technique with that of other imaging techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following the PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched the literature for articles about the use of digital tomosynthesis in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, spondyloarthritis, and gout. We used the QUADAS-2 (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies) criteria to evaluate the quality of the articles included. RESULTS: We included 13 articles. For rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and spondyloarthritis, digital tomosynthesis detected bone abnormalities better than plain-film X-rays; however, for gout, the results were variable. CONCLUSIONS: Digital tomosynthesis can play an important role in the evaluation of skeletal abnormalities in rheumatological disease, especially compared to plain-film X-rays.

Breast tomosynthesis: state of the art. / Tomosíntesis de la mama: estado actual.

Breast tomosynthesis is a continually improving tool for diagnostic radiologists. This update about tomosynthesis reviews the advantages of the technique both in patients with suspected or known disease and in screening, as well as its limitations, of which the dose of radiation is the most important. The more recent advent of synthesized mammography, computer-assisted detection, and tomosynthesis-guided biopsy have helped to reduce the dose of radiation used and have improved the diagnostic performance of tomosynthesis, so they are also discussed in this review.

Characterization of invisible breast cancers in digital mammography and tomosynthesis: radio-pathological correlation. / Caracterización de cánceres de mama sintomáticos invisibles en mamografía digital y tomosíntesis: correlación radiopatológica.

OBJECTIVE: To review the radio-pathologic features of symptomatic breast cancers not detected at digital mammography (DM) and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 169 lesions from symptomatic patients with breast cancer that were studied with DM, DBT, ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance (MR). We identified occult lesions (true false negatives) in DM and DBT. Clinical data, density, US and MR findings were analyzed as well as histopathological results. RESULTS: We identified seven occult lesions in DM and DBT. 57% (4/7) of the lesions were identified in high-density breasts (type c and d), and the rest of them in breasts of density type b. Six carcinomas were identified at US and MR (BI-RADS 4 masses); the remaining lesion was only identified at MR. The tumor size was larger than 3cm at MRI in 57% of the lesions. All tumors were ductal infiltrating carcinomas, six of them with high stromal proportion. According to molecular classification, we found only one triple-negative breast cancer, the other lesions were luminal-type. We analyzed the tumor margins of two resected carcinomas that were not treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, both lesions presented margins that displaced the adjacent parenchyma without infiltrating it. CONCLUSION: Occult breast carcinomas in DM and DBT accounted for 4% of lesions detected in patients with symptoms. They were mostly masses, all of them presented the diagnosis of infiltrating ductal carcinoma (with predominance of the luminal immunophenotype) and were detected in breasts of density type b, c and d.

What we need to know about dense breasts: implications for breast cancer screening. / Mama densa, ¿qué debemos saber? Implicaciones en el cribado.

High breast density and its relationship to the risk of breast cancer has become a hot topic in the medical literature and in the lay press, especially in the United States, where it has brought about changes in the legal framework that require radiologists to inform clinicians and patients about breast density. Radiologists, who are mainly responsible for this information, need to know the scientific evidence and controversies regarding this subject. The discussion is centered on the real importance of the risk, the limitation that not having standardized methods of measurement represents, and the possible application of complementary screening techniques (ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, or tomosynthesis) for which clear recommendations have yet to be established. We need controlled studies that evaluate the application of these techniques in women with dense breasts, including the possibility that they can lead to overdiagnosis.

Distorsión de la arquitectura mamaria: la mejor forma de enfrentarla / Distorsion of breast architecture: the best way to confront it

Abstract: Objective. Assess the performance of digital 2D mammography and tomosynthesis in the characterisation of architectural breast distortion (ABD). Material and method. A retrospective study, approved by the Ethics Committee, was conducted on mammographic studies on cases with a diagnosis of ABD selected from August 2015-August 2016. Cases with imaging modalities available on PACS were included: digital mammography (2D), tomosynthesis (TS), ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance (MR), and with biopsy performed at our institution. ABD cases associated with micro-calcifications and post-surgical changes were excluded. Detection rates and imaging characteristics were analysed, as well as the histopathological concordance. Results. A total of 81 cases of ABD without microcalcifications were detected on the mammographs, but only 52 met the inclusion criteria. According to histopathology, 23 (44%) were malignant, 17 (33%) were benign, and 12 (23%) were high-risk lesions. All were detected by TS and US, and classified as suspicious lesions (BI-RADS 4 or 5). In 2D mammography, 24 cases (46%) were not seen and 8 (33%) of these were malignant. Malignant lesions showed dense centres in 87% of cases. The most frequent lesion on ultrasound was a hypoechogenic area (60%) in 86% of lesions with penetrating vessels. A total of 21 MRI were performed, with mass enhancement being identified in all of them. Conclusion. ABD is better displayed in TS than 2D mammography. Despite its characteristics, histological examination is essential (even when a radiolucent centre is observed). Focused US should be the next procedure to follow, since it allows to visualize the lesion to be visualised, and can direct the percutaneous biopsy in most cases.

Resumen: Objetivo. Determinar en qué método de imagen se logra visualizar y caracterizar mejor una distorsión de la arquitectura mamaria (DAM). Material y método. Estudio retrospectivo, aprobado por el Comité de Ética. Se seleccionaron los estudios mamográficos con diagnóstico de DAM en nuestro servicio entre agosto de 2015 y agosto de 2016. Se incluyeron casos estudiados con al menos 3 de las modalidades de imágenes disponibles en PACS: mamografía digital (2D), tomosíntesis (TS), ecografía (US), resonancia (RM) y que fueron biopsiados en nuestra institución. Se excluyeron casos de DAM asociadas con microcalcificaciones y cambios posquirúrgicos. Se evaluaron la tasa de detección, las características imagenológicas y la concordancia histopatológica. Resultados. En 15 meses se detectaron 81 casos de DAM en mamografía; de estos, 52 cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Según la histopatología, 23 (44%) resultaron malignas, 17 (33%) benignas y 12 (23%) lesiones de alto riesgo (LAR). Todas fueron detectadas por TS y US, clasificadas como lesiones sospechosas (BI-RADS 4 o 5). En mamografía 2D, 24 casos (46%) quedaron ocultos, y de estos, 8 (33%) resultaron malignos. Las lesiones malignas presentaron centro denso en el 87% de los casos. La lesión más frecuente en ecografía fue el área hipoecogénica (60%), en el 86% de las lesiones con vasos penetrantes. Se contó con 21 RM, identificándose captación tipo masa en las patologías malignas. Conclusión. La DAM es mejor visualizada en TS que en mamografía 2D. Pese a sus características, un estudio histológico es indispensable (incluso al observar un centro radiolúcido). El US dirigido es el paso a seguir, ya que permite visualizar la lesión y dirigir su biopsia percutánea en la mayoría de los casos.

[Breast tomosynthesis: a new tool for diagnosing breast cancer]. / Tomosíntesis de mama: una nueva herramienta en el diagnóstico del cáncer de mama.

Breast cancer continues to be the most common malignant tumor in women in occidental countries. Mammography is currently the technique of choice for screening programs; however, although it has been widely validated, mammography has its limitations, especially in dense breasts. Breast tomosynthesis is a revolutionary advance in the diagnosis of breast cancer. It makes it possible to define lesions that are occult in the glandular tissue and therefore to detect breast tumors that are impossible to see on conventional mammograms. In considering the combined use of mammography and tomosynthesis, many factors must be taken into account apart from cancer detection; these include additional radiation, the recall rate, and the time necessary to carry out and interpret the two tests. In this article, we review the technical principles of tomosynthesis, it main uses, and the future perspective for this imaging technique.

Digital tomosynthesis in breast cancer: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate and compare the diagnostic validity of tomosynthesis and digital mammography for screening and diagnosing breast cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We systematically searched MedLine, EMBASE, and Web of Science for the terms breast cancer, screening, tomosynthesis, mammography, sensitivity, and specificity in publications in the period comprising June 2010 through February 2013. We included studies on diagnostic tests and systematic reviews. Two reviewers selected and evaluated the articles. We used QUADAS 2 to evaluate the risk of bias and the NICE criteria to determine the level of evidence. We compiled a narrative synthesis. RESULTS: Of the 151 original studies identified, we selected 11 that included a total of 2475 women. The overall quality was low, with a risk of bias and follow-up and limitations regarding the applicability of the results. The level of evidence was not greater than level II. The sensitivity of tomosynthesis ranged from 69% to 100% and the specificity ranged from 54% to 100%. The negative likelihood ratio was good, and this makes tomosynthesis useful as a test to confirm a diagnosis. One-view tomosynthesis was no better than two-view digital mammography, and the evidence for the superiority of two-view tomosynthesis was inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS: The results for the diagnostic validity of tomosynthesis in the diagnosis of breast cancer were inconclusive and there were no results for its use in screening.

Revisión de técnica y utilidades de la tomosíntesis digital de tórax en la actualidad / A review of current techniques and usefulness of digital chest tomosynthesis

Digital tomosynthesis (DTS) of the chest is an imaging technique composed of similar components to digital radiography (DR). Its advantages over DR: more precise diagnosis of the thoracic structure alterations, useful for confirming or ruling out suspected nodules, detection of patients at high risk of lung cancer and the monitoring of known lesions. The DTS creates coronal thoracic reconstructions with resolution superior to CT; however it is limited by its depth resolution and sensitivity to movement, occasionally hiding lesions adjacent to the pleura, diaphragm and mediastinum. The radiation dose of DTS and the cost is much lower than CT. More specific applications as well as the pulmonary nodules are under investigation, such as mycobacterial infection, cystic fibrosis and others. A basic understanding of the usefulness of thoracic DTS and its technique may be useful for the radiologist.

La Tomosíntesis digital (TSD) de tórax es una técnica de imagen compuesta por piezas similares que la radiografía digital (RD). Sus ventajas de sobre RD: diagnóstico más preciso de las alteraciones estructuras torácicas, útil para confirmar o descartar la sospecha de nódulos, detección de los pacientes de alto riesgo de cáncer pulmonar y seguimiento de lesiones conocidas. La TSD crea reconstrucciones coronales torácicas con resolución superior a TC. Sin embargo, está limitada por su resolución de profundidad y susceptibilidad al movimiento, ocultando ocasionalmente lesiones adyacentes a pleura, diafragma y mediastino. La dosis de radiación de TSD y el costo son más bajos que la TC. Más aplicaciones específicas además de los nódulos pulmonares están bajo investigación, como la infección por micobacterias, fibrosis quística y otras. Una comprensión básica de la utilidad de TSD torácica y su técnica puede ser útil para el radiólogo.

Valoración diagnóstica de la mamografía 3D (tomosíntesis) en el diagnóstico de cáncer de mama en pacientes mujeres de 40 a 60 años. Clínica Internacional - sede San Borja. Año 2013 / Diagnostic valuation of the 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) in the diagnosis of breast cancer in women patients of 40 to 60 years. Clinic International - district San Borja 2013

Objetivo: Determinar la valoración diagnóstica de la Mamografía 3D (Tomosíntesis) en el Diagnóstico de Cáncer de Mama en Pacientes Mujeres de 40 a 60 años. En la Clínica Internacional de San Borja año 2013 en base al resultado del informe histopatológico. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de tipo observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo y de corte transversal, en la Unidad de Diagnóstico Integral de Mamas de la Clínica Internacional-Sede San Borja, en el cual se revisaron las historias clínicas de las pacientes que comprendían una edad entre 40 y 60 años, donde se correlacionaron las características de las Tomosíntesis con los resultados histopatológicos de 75 pacientes que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Para el análisis de la sensibilidad y especificidad se realizó la aplicación de las curvas ROC, para determinar el mejor punto de corte para los BIRADS tomando como Gold Standard a la biopsia. Resultados: Se obtuvo una sensibilidad del 68 por ciento, una especificidad del 70 por ciento, el Valor Predictivo Positivo fue de 20.7 por ciento y el Valor Predictivo Negativo 95 por ciento. El signo radiológico más frecuente según biopsia fue de Distorsión de Arquitectura. Los signos que tuvieron mayor relación con biopsia positiva fueron las microcalcificaciones y nódulos espiculados. Conclusión: El valor diagnóstico de la Tomosíntesis en la Clínica Internacional-San Borja para el diagnóstico de cáncer de mama, es una prueba diagnóstica válida probando mejorar la detección de nódulos reduciendo los efectos del solapamiento tisular y facilita el análisis morfológico de los mismos, principalmente en mamas densas en las que el riesgo de cáncer es mayor.

Objective: To determine the diagnostic evaluation of 3D Mammography (Tomosynthesis) in the Diagnosis of Breast Cancer Patients Women aged 40 to 60 years. The International Clinic of San Borja 2013 based on the results of the histopathological report. Materials and Methods: Was performed an type study observational, descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional Unit Comprehensive Diagnostic Breast International Clinic was conducted-located San Borja, where the clinical histories of the patients included were reviewed aged between 40 and 60 year, where the characteristics of Tomosynthesis with histopathological findings of 75 patients who met the inclusion criteria were correlated. For the analysis of sensitivity and specificity applying ROC curves was performed to determine the best cutoff for BIRADS taking as gold standard biopsy. Results: Was obtained sensitivity 68 per cent, specificity of 70 per cent was obtained the positive predictive value was 20.7 per cent and negative predictive value 95 per cent. The most frequent radiographic sign was as biopsy Distortion Architecture. The signs that were more closely with positive biopsy were microcalcifications and spiculated nodules. Conclusion: The diagnostic value of Tomosynthesis in the International Clinic-San Borja for the diagnosis of breast cancer, is a valid diagnostic test proving improve detection of lymph tissue reducing the effects of morphological overlap and facilitates their analysis, mainly in dense breasts where cancer risk is greater.

[New mammography technologies and their impact on radiation dose]. / Nuevas tecnologías en mamografía y su impacto en los valores de dosis.

This article reviews new mammography technologies resulting from advances in digital detectors and processing techniques. Most are just starting to be commercialized or are in the clinical trial phase. The results of clinical trials with the new 2D techniques (contrast-enhanced techniques or stereotactic techniques) show they are useful for diagnosing cancer. However, the greater complexity of the image acquisition process suggests that their use will be limited to particular cases such as inconclusive lesions or women with high risk for developing breast cancer. Among the 3D technologies (breast tomography and breast tomosynthesis), only breast tomosynthesis has been implemented in clinical practice, so it is the only technique for which it is possible to know the sensitivity, specificity, and radiation dose delivered. This article describes the principles underlying the way breast tomosynthesis works and the techniques used for image acquisition and reconstruction. It also summarizes the main results obtained in clinical studies, which generally show that breast tomosynthesis increases the breast cancer detection rate while decreasing the recall rate and number of biopsies taken. The protocol for breast tomosynthesis approved by the Food and Drug Administration (USA) consists of two conventional mammography projections for each breast and two tomosynthesis projections for each breast. This means multiplying the risks of inducing cancer and death associated with 2D mammography by a factor between 2 and 3 (2.6-3.3 and 0.7-0.9 per 100,000 women exposed when 50 years old, respectively). The protocol for breast tomosynthesis examinations is one of the aspects that is essential to determine when including tomosynthesis in screening programs and routine breast imaging.