Clinical Significance of Background Parenchymal Enhancement in Breast Cancer Risk Stratification.

BACKGROUND: Background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) is an established breast cancer risk factor. However, the relationship between BPE levels and breast cancer risk stratification remains unclear. PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical relationship between BPE levels and breast cancer risk with covariate adjustments for age, ethnicity, and hormonal status. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective. POPULATION: 954 screening breast MRI datasets representing 721 women divided into four cohorts: women with pathogenic germline breast cancer (BRCA) mutations (Group 1, N = 211), women with non-BRCA germline mutations (Group 2, N = 60), women without high-risk germline mutations but with a lifetime breast cancer risk of ≥20% using the Tyrer-Cuzick model (Group 3, N = 362), and women with <20% lifetime risk (Group 4, N = 88). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3 T/axial non-fat-saturated T1, short tau inversion recovery, fat-saturated pre-contrast, and post-contrast T1-weighted images. ASSESSMENT: Data on age, body mass index, ethnicity, menopausal status, genetic predisposition, and hormonal therapy use were collected. BPE levels were evaluated by two breast fellowship-trained radiologists independently in accordance with BI-RADS, with a third breast fellowship-trained radiologist resolving any discordance. STATISTICAL TESTS: Propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized to adjust covariates, including age, ethnicity, menopausal status, hormonal treatments, and prior bilateral oophorectomy. The Mann-Whitney U test, chi-squared test, and univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed, with an odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval. Weighted Kappa statistic was used to assess inter-reader variation. A P value <0.05 indicated a significant result. RESULTS: In the assessment of BPE, there was substantial agreement between the two interpreting radiologists (κ = 0.74). Patient demographics were not significantly different between patient groups after PSM. The BPE of Group 1 was significantly lower than that of Group 4 and Group 3 among premenopausal women. In estimating the BPE level, the OR of gene mutations was 0.35. DATA CONCLUSION: Adjusting for potential confounders, the BPE level of premenopausal women with BRCA mutations was significantly lower than that of non-high-risk women. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

Quantitative assessment of background parenchymal enhancement is associated with lifetime breast cancer risk in screening MRI.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the quantitative background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) in women with different lifetime risks and BRCA mutation status of breast cancer using screening MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included screening MRI of 535 women divided into three groups based on lifetime risk: nonhigh-risk women, high-risk women without BRCA mutation, and BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Six quantitative BPE measurements, including percent enhancement (PE) and signal enhancement ratio (SER), were calculated on DCE-MRI after segmentation of the whole breast and fibroglandular tissue (FGT). The associations between lifetime risk factors and BPE were analyzed via linear regression analysis. We adjusted for risk factors influencing BPE using propensity score matching (PSM) and compared the BPE between different groups. A two-sided Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare the BPE with a threshold of 0.1 for multiple testing issue-adjusted p values. RESULTS: Age, BMI, menopausal status, and FGT level were significantly correlated with quantitative BPE based on the univariate and multivariable linear regression analyses. After adjusting for age, BMI, menopausal status, hormonal treatment history, and FGT level using PSM, significant differences were observed between high-risk non-BRCA and BRCA groups in PEFGT (11.5 vs. 8.0%, adjusted p = 0.018) and SERFGT (7.2 vs. 9.3%, adjusted p = 0.066). CONCLUSION: Quantitative BPE varies in women with different lifetime breast cancer risks and BRCA mutation status. These differences may be due to the influence of multiple lifetime risk factors. Quantitative BPE differences remained between groups with and without BRCA mutations after adjusting for known risk factors associated with BPE. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: BRCA germline mutations may be associated with quantitative background parenchymal enhancement, excluding the effects of known confounding factors. This finding can provide potential insights into the cancer pathophysiological mechanisms behind lifetime risk models. KEY POINTS: Expanding understanding of breast cancer pathophysiology allows for improved risk stratification and optimized screening protocols. Quantitative BPE is significantly associated with lifetime risk factors and differs between BRCA mutation carriers and noncarriers. This research offers a possible understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying quantitative BPE and BRCA germline mutations.

COVID-19 Vaccination-Associated Axillary Adenopathy: Imaging Findings and Follow-Up Recommendations in 23 Women.

The purpose of this article is to report on 23 women with evidence of axillary adenopathy at breast imaging after recent COVID-19 vaccination. A total of 13% of patients had symptoms (axillary lump), 43% were undergoing screening, and 43% were undergoing diagnostic imaging for other reasons. BI-RADS category 2 was assigned in one case, BI-RADS 3 in 21 (ultrasound in 4-24 weeks), and BI-RADS 4 in one. Radiologist familiarity and evidence-based guidelines are needed to avoid follow-up imaging and biopsies for reactive adenopathy after COVID-19 vaccination.

Superficial angiomyxoma of the breast in a 16-year-old girl without carney's complex: A case report.

Superficial angiomyxoma (SA) is a rare benign soft-tissue tumor, arising sporadically or as the earliest manifestation of Carney's complex. When it arises sporadically, the breast is infrequently involved with only few cases reported in the literature. Key imaging findings include T2 signal hyperintensity on MRI and hypervascularity. In this study, we report the clinical, radiological, surgical, and histopathologic findings of a case of sporadic SA of the breast in a 16-year-old girl.

Disease severity classification using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging data of cartilage in femoroacetabular impingement.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a condition in which subtle deformities of the femoral head and acetabulum (hip socket) result in pathological abutment during hip motion. FAI is a common cause of hip pain and can lead to acetabular cartilage damage and osteoarthritis. For some patients with FAI, surgical intervention is indicated, and it can improve quality of life and potentially delay the onset of osteoarthritis. For other patients, however, surgery is contraindicated because significant cartilage damage has already occurred. Unfortunately, current imaging modalities (X-rays and conventional MRI) are subjective and lack the sensitivity to distinguish these two groups reliably. In this paper, we describe the pairing of T2* mapping data (an investigational, objective MRI sequence) and a spatial proportional odds model for surgically obtained ordinal outcomes (Beck's scale of cartilage damage). Each hip in the study is assigned its own spatial dependence parameter, and a Dirichlet process prior distribution permits clustering of said parameters. Using the fitted model, we produce a six-color, patient-specific predictive map of the entire acetabular cartilage. Such maps will facilitate patient education and clinical decision making. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

T2* relaxation time of acetabular and femoral cartilage with and without intraarticular gadopentetate dimeglumine in patients with femoroacetabular impingement.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess whether the presence of intraarticular gadopentetate dimeglumine during clinical MR arthrography significantly alters the T2* relaxation time of hip articular cartilage in patients with femoroacetabular impingement. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: T2* mapping of 10 patient volunteers (seven female patients, three male patients; age range, 14-49 years; mean, 33.0 ± 12.2 [SD] years) with symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement was performed before and after intraarticular administration of gadopentetate dimeglumine. Overall 323 ROIs were defined in each acetabular and femoral cartilage before and after gadolinium injection. Agreement of the T2* relaxation times before and after gadolinium injection was assessed with the Krippendorff alpha coefficient and linear regression through the origin. RESULTS: T2* relaxation times before and after gadolinium injection in both acetabular and femoral cartilage were found to agree strongly. Specifically, estimated Krippendorff alpha values were greater than 0.8 for both acetabular and femoral cartilage, linear regressions through the origin yielded estimated slopes very close to 1, and R(2) values were greater than 0.98. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that intraarticular injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine according to the protocol described in this study has little effect on the T2* of femoral and acetabular cartilage. The results suggest that T2* mapping can be safely performed as an addition to a standard clinical hip imaging protocol that includes gadopentetate dimeglumine administration.

Endovascular balloon-assisted embolization of high-flow peripheral vascular lesions using dual-lumen coaxial balloon microcatheter and Onyx: initial experience.

Balloon-assisted embolization performed by delivering Onyx ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer through a dual-lumen coaxial balloon microcatheter is a new technique for the management of peripheral vascular lesions. This technique does not require an initial reflux of Onyx to form around the tip of the microcatheter before antegrade flow of Onyx can commence. In a series of four patients who were treated with the use of this technique, the absence of significant reflux of Onyx was noted, as were excellent navigability and easy retrieval of the balloon microcatheter. However, in one patient, there was inadvertent adverse embolization of a digital artery, which was not caused by reflux of Onyx but could still be related to balloon inflation.

T2* Mapping Provides Information That Is Statistically Comparable to an Arthroscopic Evaluation of Acetabular Cartilage.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to validate T2* mapping as an objective, noninvasive method for the prediction of acetabular cartilage damage. Methods This is the second step in the validation of T2*. In a previous study, we established a quantitative predictive model for identifying and grading acetabular cartilage damage. In this study, the model was applied to a second cohort of 27 consecutive hips to validate the model. A clinical 3.0-T imaging protocol with T2* mapping was used. Acetabular regions of interest (ROI) were identified on magnetic resonance and graded using the previously established model. Each ROI was then graded in a blinded fashion by arthroscopy. Accurate surgical location of ROIs was facilitated with a 2-dimensional map projection of the acetabulum. A total of 459 ROIs were studied. Results When T2* mapping and arthroscopic assessment were compared, 82% of ROIs were within 1 Beck group (of a total 6 possible) and 32% of ROIs were classified identically. Disease prediction based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated a sensitivity of 0.713 and a specificity of 0.804. Model stability evaluation required no significant changes to the predictive model produced in the initial study. Conclusions These results validate that T2* mapping provides statistically comparable information regarding acetabular cartilage when compared to arthroscopy. In contrast to arthroscopy, T2* mapping is quantitative, noninvasive, and can be used in follow-up. Unlike research quantitative magnetic resonance protocols, T2* takes little time and does not require a contrast agent. This may facilitate its use in the clinical sphere.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Cerebrovascular Disease.

Diseases of the cerebral vasculature represent a heterogeneous group of ischemic and hemorrhagic etiologies, which often manifest clinically as an acute neurologic deficit also known as stroke or less commonly with symptoms such as headache or seizures. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death and is a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the United States. Eighty-seven percent of strokes are ischemic, 10% are due to intracerebral hemorrhage, and 3% are secondary to subarachnoid hemorrhage. The past two decades have seen significant developments in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of ischemic and hemorrhagic causes of stroke with advancements in CT and MRI technology and novel treatment devices and techniques. Multiple different imaging modalities can be used in the evaluation of cerebrovascular disease. The different imaging modalities all have their own niches and their own advantages and disadvantages in the evaluation of cerebrovascular disease. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

Imaging venous disease: pearls and pitfalls.

In this day of rapidly advancing quantitative and molecular imaging techniques, imaging of veins and venous pathology still primarily relies on qualitative interpretation of ultrasound and venographic images. This article is primarily dedicated to understanding the nuances of the qualitative use of these two, by now, "old-fashioned" modalities. As such, the article is an attempt to help the imaging practitioner, in their daily practice, to avoid some of the interpretive mishaps that can befall the unwary. There are special strengths of the 3-dimensional imaging techniques of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography venography that will be briefly mentioned and discussed as to when and where they should be added to the venous imaging armamentarium.

Frozen section as a diagnostic test for major salivary gland tumors.

Major salivary gland tumors are uncommon and the exact nature of these tumors is not obvious. This study was carried out to compare the histological results of intraoperative frozen sections against those of permanent reports for major salivary glands masses. One hundred thirty-nine patients with major salivary gland masses who were candidates for surgery underwent an intraoperative frozen section biopsy. A permanent histological examination was then performed for definite diagnosis and its result was compared with that of the frozen section. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and the positive and negative predictive values were analyzed. The frozen section had 98.4% sensitivity, 87% specificity, 97.1% accuracy, 98.4% positive predictive value and 87% negative predictive value in differentiating between non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions. In addition, the frozen section's identification of a mass as either benign or malignant showed 98% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 99.2% accuracy, 100% positive predictive value and 99% negative predictive value. Based on the current study's findings, it can be suggested that the frozen section is considerably accurate in the diagnosis of malignant versus benign lesions of major salivary glands, regardless of the exact histopathological type of the malignant tumors.