Gallbladder nonvisualization with pericholecystic rim sign: morphine-augmentation optimizes diagnosis of acute cholecystitis.

UNLABELLED: This study investigated the value of morphine-augmentation in patients who demonstrated gallbladder nonvisualization with a pericholecystic rim sign at 1 hr, a cholescintigraphic pattern considered highly predictive of acute cholecystitis. METHODS: Retrospectively, 170 consecutive morphine-augmented cholescintigrams were analyzed for the presence of a pericholecystic rim sign, marked or mild, associated with gallbladder nonvisualization at 1 hr (before morphine); those with a pericholecystic rim sign were further evaluated for persistent gallbladder nonvisualization versus gallbladder visualization after morphine. Scintigraphic interpretations were correlated with surgical pathology or clinical diagnosis. RESULTS: Before morphine, 43/170 (25%) patients demonstrated gallbladder nonvisualization with a pericholecystic rim sign. Since only 31 had acute cholecystitis, a diagnosis based solely on that scintigraphic pattern would have resulted in 12 false-positives. After morphine, gallbladder visualization correctly excluded acute cholecystitis in seven; a single false-negative was encountered; five false-positives remained. Morphine-augmentation improved the positive predictive value from 72% (gallbladder nonvisualization with pericholecystic rim sign before morphine) to 86% (gallbladder nonvisualization after morphine). Of 24 patients with marked pericholecystic rim signs, 21 had acute cholecystitis. Of 31 with acute cholecystitis, however, 10 (32%) had a mild pericholecystic rim sign. CONCLUSION: Morphine-augmented cholescintigraphy optimizes the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis in patients with the suggestive, but not pathognomonic, cholescintigraphic pattern at 1 hr of gallbladder nonvisualization with a pericholecystic rim sign, regardless of its intensity.

Adnexal masses in women with breast cancer: US findings with clinical and histopathologic correlation.

PURPOSE: To correlate ultrasonographic (US), clinical, and histopathologic findings in patients with breast cancer who underwent surgery for adnexal masses evident at US. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A database search yielded 54 patients with breast cancer and with adnexal masses at US and histopathologic examinations. Clinical, US, and histopathologic findings were correlated. RESULTS: Forty (74%) patients had benign adnexal masses, and 14 (26%) had malignant masses; three patients had both benign and malignant ovarian masses. Seven patients had primary ovarian cancer, and seven had breast metastases to the ovary. All breast metastases to the ovary were bilateral solid masses at histopathologic examination and occurred in women with stage IV breast carcinoma at the time of US. Eleven ovaries with breast metastases were solid at US. The remaining three ovaries with breast metastases had cystic components at US because of hemorrhage or coexistent benign ovarian cysts. Four of seven patients with primary ovarian carcinoma had bilateral ovarian tumors, and seven of 11 ovarian carcinomas were predominantly cystic at US. No patient with primary ovarian carcinoma had stage IV breast cancer. CONCLUSION: In this small series, half the ovarian malignancies in patients with breast cancer were primary ovarian carcinomas and half were breast metastases to the ovary. Breast metastases to the ovary most frequently are bilateral solid masses at US and are associated with stage IV disease at the time of US.

Gynecomastoid hyperplasia: imaging findings in six patients.

This case series describes the radiologic appearances of gynecomastoid hyperplasia of the breast in our experience. The clinical histories, breast images, and histopathologic findings in six women were reviewed. At mammography, there was no abnormality in two women, an enlarging asymmetric density in three women, and a nodule in one woman. Breast ultrasonography showed a hypoechoic nodule in one woman. Gynecomastoid hyperplasia has a varied radiologic appearance.

Atypical ductal hyperplasia and ductal carcinoma in situ as revealed by large-core needle breast biopsy: results of surgical excision.

OBJECTIVE: This investigation compares the frequency of histologic underestimation of breast carcinoma that occurs when a large-core needle biopsy reveals atypical ductal hyperplasia or ductal carcinoma in situ with the automated 14-gauge needle, the 14-gauge directional vacuum-assisted biopsy device, and the 11-gauge directional vacuum-assisted biopsy device. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Evaluation of 428 large-core needle biopsies yielding atypical ductal hyperplasia (139 lesions) or ductal carcinoma in situ (289 lesions) was performed. The results of subsequent surgical excision were retrospectively compared with the needle biopsy results. RESULTS: For lesions initially diagnosed as ductal carcinoma in situ, underestimation of invasive ductal carcinoma was significantly less frequent using the 11-gauge directional vacuum-assisted biopsy device when compared with the automated 14-gauge needle (10% versus 21%, p < 0.05) but was not significantly less frequent when compared with the 14-gauge directional vacuum-assisted device (10% versus 17%, p > 0.1). For lesions diagnosed initially as atypical ductal hyperplasia, underestimation of ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive ductal carcinoma was significantly less frequent using the 11-gauge directional vacuum-assisted biopsy device compared with the 14-gauge directional vacuum-assisted device (19% versus 39%, p = 0. 025) and with the automated 14-gauge needle (19% versus 44%, p = 0. 01). CONCLUSION: The frequency of histologic underestimation of breast carcinoma in lesions initially diagnosed as atypical ductal hyperplasia or ductal carcinoma in situ using large-core needle biopsy is substantially lower with the 11-gauge directional vacuum-assisted device than with the automated 14-gauge needle and with the 14-gauge directional vacuum-assisted device.

Large-core needle biopsy of nonpalpable breast lesions.

CONTEXT: An increasing number of nonpalpable abnormalities requiring breast biopsy are being identified due to the widespread use of screening mammography. Large-core needle biopsy (LCNB) has become an alternative to surgical excision. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether LCNB is a safe and accurate technique to evaluate nonpalpable abnormalities found on breast imaging studies. DESIGN AND SETTING: Case series at an institutional referral center from August 1, 1991, to December 31, 1997. PATIENTS: A total of 1643 women with 1 or more suspicious breast abnormalities received LCNBs (n = 1836 lesions). INTERVENTION: The LCNB of the breast uses a 14- or 11-gauge needle with stereotactic localization or ultrasound guidance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Utility and potential limitations of LCNB compared with the criterion standard, surgical excision after wire localization. RESULTS: Of the 1836 breast lesions sampled, 444 (24%) were found to be malignant. A total of 412 (22%) were found to be malignant on the initial LCNB and 202 repeat biopsies yielded 32 additional malignancies. Complications were infrequent: 1 patient experienced a superficial infection and 1 developed a pneumothorax after LCNB. CONCLUSION: Image-guided LCNB is a reliable diagnostic alternative to surgical excision of suspicious nonpalpable breast abnormalities.