The Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) in the Dutch breast cancer screening programme: its role as an assessment and stratification tool.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the suitability of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) as a quality assessment tool in the Dutch breast cancer screening programme. METHODS: The data of 93,793 screened women in the Amsterdam screening region (November 2005-July 2006) were reviewed. BI-RADS categories, work-up, age, final diagnosis and final TNM classification were available from the screening registry. Interval cancers were obtained through linkage with the cancer registry. BI-RADS was introduced as a pilot in the Amsterdam region before the nationwide introduction of digital mammography (2009-2010). RESULTS: A total of 1,559 women were referred to hospital (referral rate 1.7 %). Breast cancer was diagnosed in 485 women (detection rate 0.52 %); 253 interval cancers were reported, yielding a programme sensitivity of 66 % and specificity of 99 %. BI-RADS 0 had a lower positive predictive value (PPV, 14.1 %) than BI-RADS 4 (39.1 %) and BI-RADS 5 (92.9 %; P < 0.0001). The number of invasive procedures and tumour size also differed significantly between BI-RADS categories (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The significant differences in PPV, invasive procedures and tumour size match with stratification into BI-RADS categories. It revealed inter-observer variability between screening radiologists and can thus be used as a quality assessment tool in screening and as a stratification tool in diagnostic work-up. KEY POINTS: • The BI-RADS atlas is widely used in breast cancer screening programmes. • There were significant differences in results amongst different BI-RADS categories. • Those differences represented the radiologists' degree of suspicion for malignancy, thus enabling stratification of referrals. • BI-RADS can be used as a quality assessment tool in screening. • Training should create more uniformity in applying the BI-RADS lexicon.

[Revised practice guideline 'Screening and diagnosis of breast cancer']. / Richtlijn 'screening en diagnostiek van het mammacarcinoom' (herziening).

Revised practice guideline 'Screening and diagnosis of breast cancer' The evidence-based revision of the practice guideline 'Screening and diagnosis of breast cancer' was necessitated by new insights, for instance on the cost-effectiveness of screening modalities other than mammography. Mammography is the only screening modality that is recommended for the general population. In the Netherlands, women from 50-75 years of age are invited for screening. However, in view of the ongoing increase in the incidence of breast cancer and of the image quality advantages of radiological digitalization, a study on the decrease of the lower age limit--preferably 45 years--is recommended. Screening with MRI is indicated for carriers of breast cancer gene mutations. Evaluation of risk factors has resulted in a rearrangement of screening recommendations, based on relative risks (RRs): screening apart from the population screening is only recommended in case the RRis 4 or more and in patients with a positive family history in case of a RR of 2 or more. Additional risks require further genetic evaluation. The 'Breast imaging reporting and data system' (BI-RADS) is now recommended for both screening and diagnostic imaging. Its application has had an impact on the triple diagnostic approach, which has now evolved into a consensus between surgeon, radiologist and pathologist. Axillary ultrasound should be carried out ifa sentinel node procedure is being considered. MRI should be included if the cancer cannot be reliably delineated on mammography or ultrasound. The increased complexity of the diagnostic work-up often means that the final diagnosis is not arrived within one day. Every effort should be made to achieve this goal within 5 working days. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2008;I52:2336-9

[Guideline 'Treatment of breast cancer 2008' (revision)]. / Richtlijn 'Behandeling van het mammacarcinoom 2008' (herziening).

The Dutch evidence-based guideline 'Treatment of breast cancer' has been revised, and integrated with the guideline 'Screening for and diagnosis of breast cancer'. The guideline can be found on www. oncoline.nl and on www.cbo.nl. The Internet programme 'Adjuvant!' (www.adjuvantonline.com) can be used to predict both the prognosis and the efficacy of systemic adjuvant therapy for each patient. The indications for adjuvant chemotherapy and endocrine therapy have been widened. The aim is to reduce the absolute probability of death by at least 4-5% within 10 years. The goal of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in operable breast cancer is to enable breast-conserving therapy for large tumours in relatively small breasts. One could consider transferring responsibility for follow-up after 5 years from the hospital to the screening organisation following mastectomy, to the family doctor following breast-conserving therapy, and to an outpatient clinic for hereditary tumours in carriers of gene mutation. Cessation of follow-up above the age of 75 could also be considered.

Mammography: interobserver variability in breast density assessment.

Our objective was to determine the interobserver variability of breast density assessment according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) and to examine potential associations between breast density and risk factors for breast cancer. Four experienced breast radiologists received instructions regarding the use of BI-RADS and they assessed 57 mammograms into BI-RADS density categories of 1-4. The weighted kappa values for breast density between pairs of observers were 0.84 (A, B) (almost perfect agreement); 0.75 (A, C), 0.74 (A, D), 0.71 (B, C), 0.77 (B, D), 0.65 (C, D) (substantial agreement). The weighted overall kappa, measured by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.69-0.85). Body mass index was inversely associated with high breast density. In conclusion, overall interobserver agreement in mammographic interpretation of breast density is substantial and therefore, the BI-RADS classification for breast density is useful for standardization in a multicentre study.

Radiographic evaluation of children with growth disorders.

Short stature as well as tall stature can have a wide variety of causes. Tall stature is usually experienced as a less important problem than short stature, but for both clinical presentations it is important to make a correct diagnosis as to etiology. The identification of the diagnosis frequently relies on radiological criteria. However, no international uniformity exists with respect to the radiographic evaluation of children with growth problems. We recommend that in patients with a possible diagnosis of a skeletal dysplasia a skeletal survey must be performed. In patients with a proportionate stature, radiographic analysis of the hand and wrist will be sufficient in most cases. However, whenever there are clinical abnormalities with a possible underlying bone anomaly, a modified skeletal survey is appropriate. The combination of clinical and biochemical features and an appropriate skeletal survey can often lead to the correct diagnosis and/or guide the subsequent molecular analysis.

Local recurrence after breast-conserving therapy for invasive breast cancer: high incidence in young patients and association with poor survival.

PURPOSE: To study risk factors for local recurrence (LR) after breast-conserving therapy (BCT) for invasive breast cancer and, for patients with an LR, the mode of detection, location, treatment, influence of radiation therapy, and impact on survival. METHODS AND MATERIALS: 1360 patients (median age 52 years; range 24-88) with a total of 1393 pT1-2 N0-1 tumors treated with BCT between 1980-1994 were studied (median follow-up 52 months). The adequacy of radiation treatment of the patients developing LR was studied in a quality control study. The impact of LR on overall survival and distant metastasis was studied in a Cox regression model with LR as a time-dependent covariate. RESULTS: A total of 88 LR occurred with a 5- and 10-year LR risk of 8 and 12%. Age was the only significant risk factor. Compared to patients > 65 years old, patients < 45 years old and patients 45-65 years old had a relative risk (RR) of 4.09 and 2.41, respectively, of developing LR. Risk on LR was found to increase gradually with younger age. Radiation therapy was considered adequate and did not play a role in influencing the LR rate. Almost 65% of the LR were true or marginal recurrences. Of all LR, 80% appeared during the first 5 years and were detected with equal frequency by the patient herself, the physician, and annual mammography. LR was a major predictor for distant metastasis (RR: 4.90; 3.15-7.62) and death (RR: 4.29; 2.93-6.28). CONCLUSION: Young age is a major risk factor for LR and there is a significant gradual increase in LR with decreasing age. LR is associated with a higher risk of distant metastasis and death. Whether LR is the cause of or a marker for distant metastasis remains unresolved.

Local recurrence of a phyllodes tumour of the breast presenting with widespread differentiation to a telangiectatic osteosarcoma.

Osteogenic sarcomas of the breast are extremely rare and need to be distinguished from a variety of breast lesions producing metaplastic bone. A 50 year old patient presented with a painless lump in her right breast after twice previously having undergone local excision of a phyllodes tumour at this site. Following radiological and cytological investigation, excision was advised. Histology showed focal remnants of the previously excised phyllodes tumour in continuity with areas of widespread differentiation towards a telangiectatic osteosarcoma. So far this is a unique morphological endpoint.

Respiratory illness in families of preterm infants with chronic lung disease.

AIMS--To examine the relation, based on two types of questionnaires, between (1) chronic lung disease of the newborn (CLDN) and lower respiratory illness (LRI) in siblings, and between (2) CLDN and asthma, chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD), or allergy in parents and grandparents. METHODS--Data from 209 children born before 32 weeks of gestation were randomly taken from the records of three neonatal units. Taking into account age and gender, the excess of LRI was calculated for each family compared with the average of all families. Subsequently whether CLDN was associated with an excess of LRI in the family was tested. RESULTS--Thirty one (14.8%) children were diagnosed as having CLDN. The family probability index for LRI did not differ between children with or without CLDN. The prevalence of COPD, asthma, and allergy in parents of children with CLDN was similar to that of children without CLDN. The prevalence of LRI was 18.1% in study children, 29.6% in children with CLDN, and 16.9% in children without CLDN (P < 0.01). These prevalences were higher compared with that of a group of term siblings (9.3%) (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS--These findings suggest that CLDN in preterm children is not related to a genetic or familial predisposition towards asthma, COPD, or allergy.

Radiation burden to paediatric patients due to micturating cystourethrography examinations in a Dutch children's hospital.

Micturating cystourethrography (MCU) examinations of paediatric patients in a major Dutch children's hospital (JKZ) were evaluated to generate quantitative information on effective dose (E). A standard examination involves three radiographs plus fluoroscopy. Observed total dose-area product (DAP) for 84 children increased, on average, with increasing age class from 0.2 to 2.2 Gy cm2. In 11 cases, separate DAP per view was measured; enabling determination, per view, of organ (CF) and effective (CE) dose conversion factors, i.e. dose per unit of DAP. Monte Carlo simulation of photon transport in male and female mathematical phantoms was applied for newborn, 1 year, 5 year, 10 year and 15-year-old patients, and interpolated for other ages. CE per view decreases with increasing age class, yielding about a factor of 10 difference between the extremes of the range. Female values are usually some 20-30% above male ones. CE for one of the views appeared to be representative for the complete examination and was used to estimate total E for each patient. Averaged per age class, E remains approximately constant at 0.3-0.4 mSv, although a tendency to increase with increasing age exists, for females in particular. Within an age class, individual patients may differ in E by a factor of two up to six. Stomach, lower large intestine, bladder wall, liver and ovaries receive relatively high doses. Compared with published data and DAP measured in a few other Dutch hospitals, the radiation burden of MCU is low at the JKZ. This indicates a good degree of optimization with respect to radiation protection (e.g. modern equipment, increased tube voltage, fast film-screen combination).

Ultrasonographic features of nephrocalcinosis in preterm neonates.

Nephrocalcinosis (NC) in preterm neonates has been reported frequently and small studies suggest an unfavourable effect on renal function. Data on ultrasonic features are limited and the reproducibility of ultrasonography (US) in detecting NC in preterm neonates is unknown. In this study, interobserver and intraobserver agreement of US was determined through videotape recordings of US examinations of preterm neonates. Furthermore, a prospective US study was performed in 215 preterm neonates (gestational age < 32 weeks) to evaluate ultrasonic characteristics, incidence, time course and effect on kidney length of NC. Patients were studied at 4 weeks after birth and at term. Patients with NC were followed for 2 years. NC was defined as bright reflections in the medulla or cortex seen in both transverse and longitudinal direction. The length of the kidneys was noted. The kappa value was 0.84 for intraobserver and 0.46 for interobserver agreement, whereas the overall agreement was 73%. NC was found in 50 of 150 (33%) patients at 4 weeks and in 83 of 201 patients (41%) at term. NC was localized mainly in the medulla. At 1 and 2 years, NC had persisted in 36% and 26%, respectively, of the patients with NC at term. Kidney length was comparable with normal values. In conclusion, US has a very good intraobserver agreement but a moderate interobserver agreement in detecting NC. Medullary NC is common among preterm neonates. During the first 2 years of life, the incidence decreases spontaneously and NC does not influence kidney length.

Radiodiagnostic aspects of non-puerperal mastitis.

The term nonpuerperal mastitis describes a number of inflammatory diseases which can develop in a non-lactating breast. The clinical diagnosis NPM can be very difficult. However, mammography combined with ultrasound examination may lead to the correct diagnosis. In the mammogram a poorly marginated area of increased density can be seen, in case of an abscess there is a more circumscribed lesion. On ultrasound examination there is a well-circumscribed or ill-defined echo-poor lesion. The through transmission is not decreased and septa are frequently observed. If the radiological features correlate with the results of aspiration and cytological examination, the diagnosis NPM can be made and surgical intervention can be avoided. We describe the value of mammography and ultrasound examination in the diagnosis of nonpuerperal mastitis in a group of six patients.

The role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of breast cancer.

Ultrasonography (US) of the breast is not applied to its optimal capacity if it is restricted to the differentiation between cystic and solid lesions and evaluation of dense breasts. It can play a major role in the detection of breast cancer; not only because of detection of mammographically occult lesions but also because of more accurate identification of lesion characteristics suspicious of malignancy. Its yield is highest among women younger than 50 years. However, one should keep in mind that the profit obtained by US shows not only the diagnostic accuracy of US but also that of mammography. Further improvement can be achieved by refinement in US diagnosis, especially with respect to the US characteristics of diffusely growing cancers.

The Catel-Manzke syndrome in a female infant.

Catel-Manzke syndrome in a female infant: We describe a girl with typical features of the Catel-Manzke syndrome. Although most cases described are boys, X-linked inheritance is not very likely now at least four females with this syndrome have been described.

[Preoperative needle biopsy: an improvement in palpable breast tumors with strong indications for malignancy]. / Preoperatieve naaldbiopsie: een aanwinst bij palpabele mammatumoren met sterke aanwijzingen voor maligniteit.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of needle core biopsy to replace frozen sections in palpable breast masses highly suspicious for malignancy. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: University Hospital Leiden, the Netherlands. METHOD: In 274 patients with 279 palpable breast masses a needle core biopsy was performed in addition to the triple diagnostic approach (i.e. physical examination, imaging by mammography and ultrasound and cytologic examination), if highly suspicious for malignancy. The core biopsy was performed by means of a 18-gauge needle in 89 lesions guided by palpation and in 190 lesions under ultrasound guidance. The results were compared with the final diagnosis: 19 benign lesions and 260 malignant lesions. RESULTS: In 63 lesions the results of the triple diagnostic approach were unequivocally malignant, this was confirmed in all cases. In 208 lesions the results of the needle core biopsy were malignant, without false positive results. However, there were 3 false negative results. The proportion of inconclusive needle core biopsies was higher when performed on palpation (35%) than when performed under ultrasound guidance (7%). When the specimen showed non-invasive carcinoma, a reliable prediction of invasion was not possible. In 264 cases excision of the lesion was performed. Given the unequivocally malignant triple diagnostic approach in 59 cases of the 264 patients operated (22%) frozen sections were not performed. By addition of needle core biopsy this percentage rose to 74%. CONCLUSION: Needle core biopsy is an important additional tool in the preoperative work-up of breast masses highly suspicious for malignancy, in order to reduce the number of frozen sections.

[Placing of Hickman catheters under ultrasonic guidance]. / Plaatsing van Hickman-catheters onder echogeleide.

We describe a new technique using ultrasound guided puncture of the subclavian vein and fluoroscopic control of the guide wire and the catheter position. Using this technique we performed 70 catheter introductions in 54 patients at the radiological department of the University Hospital of Rotterdam. Long term administration of chemotherapy was the most frequent indication for introduction of the Hickman catheter. The puncture related complication rate was compared with the complications of the 'blind' percutaneous puncture method, as mentioned in literature. All the ultrasound guided punctures of the subclavian vein were successful and no puncture related complications, such as pneumothorax, haemothorax or arterial puncture, occurred. Since ultrasound guided puncture of the subclavian vein in combination with fluoroscopic control of the guide wire and catheter reduces the risk of complications of introduction of Hickman catheters, we consider this technique superior to other methods.