Benign Calcifications Research Articles

A Decision Support System Based on BI-RADS and Radiomic Classifiers to Reduce False Positive Breast Calcifications at Digital Breast Tomosynthesis: A Preliminary Study

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) studies were introduced as a successful help for the detection of calcification, which can be a primary sign of cancer. Expert radiologists are able to detect suspicious calcifications in DBT, but a high number of calcifications with non-malignant diagnosis at biopsy have been reported (false positives, FP). In this study, a radiomic approach was developed and applied on DBT images with the aim to reduce the number of benign calcifications addressed to biopsy and to give the radiologists a helpful decision support system during their diagnostic activity. This allows personalizing patient management on the basis of personalized risk. For this purpose, 49 patients showing microcalcifications on DBT images were retrospectively included, classified by BI-RADS (Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System) and analyzed. After segmentation of microcalcifications from DBT images, radiomic features were extracted. Features were then selected with respect to their stability within different segmentations and their repeatability in test–retest studies. Stable radiomic features were used to train, validate and test (nested 10-fold cross-validation) a preliminary machine learning radiomic classifier that, combined with BI-RADS classification, allowed a reduction in FP of a factor of 2 and an improvement in positive predictive value of 50%.

Differential Diagnosis of Malignant Thyroid Calcification Nodule Based on Computed Tomography Image Texture

Purpose: Calcification nodules in thyroid can be found in thyroid disease. Current clinical computed tomography systems can be used to detect calcification nodules. Our aim is to identify the nature of thyroid calcification nodule based on plain CT images. Method: Sixty-three patients (36 benign and 27 malignant nodules) found thyroid calcification nodules were retrospectively analyzed, together with computed tomography images and pathology finding. The regions of interest (ROI) of 6464 pixels containing calcification nodules were manually delineated by radiologists in CT plain images. We extracted thirty-one texture features from each ROI. And nineteen texture features were picked up after feature optimization by logistic regression analysis. All the texture features were normalized to [0, 1]. Four classification algorithms, including ensemble learning, support vector machine, K-nearest neighbor, decision tree, were used as classification algorithms to identity the benign and malignant nodule. Accuracy, PPV, NPV, SEN, and AUC were calculated to evaluate the performance of different classifiers. Results: Nineteen texture features were selected after feature optimization by logistic regression analysis (P <0.05). Both Ensemble Learning and Support Vector Machine achieved the highest accuracy of 97.1%. The PPV, NPV, SEN, and SPC are 96.9%, 97.4%, 98.4%, and 95.0%, respectively. The AUC was 1. Conclusion: Texture features extracted from calcification nodules could be used as biomarkers to identify benign or malignant thyroid calcification.

Outcome of mammography examination in asymptomatic women.

Background:Early detection of breast cancer is important in reducing mortality, morbidity, and high socioeconomic burden associated with it. Mammography is currently the primary imaging modality used as a screening tool to detect early breast cancer in women experiencing no symptoms as they are most curable in the early stage with availability of breast conservative therapies.Objective:This study aimed at determining the mammographic breast density patterns and outcome in asymptomatic women who presented for mammographic examination in Abuja.Materials and Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study comprises of 113 asymptomatic women who presented for mammographic examination at the Radiology Department of University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada from March 2015 to December 2018. Two basic views (craniocaudal and mediolateral views) of the breast were obtained using EXR-650 mammographic machine.Results:The mean age of study population was 40.72 ± 10.45 years with age range of 35 and 65 years. Base on mammographic breast density, breast imaging, reporting, and data system 1 and 2 were the most prevalent. There was a positive correlation between mammographic breast density and age of respondents. This relationship was statistically significant (Pearson correlation = 0.56, P = 0.000). The mammographic outcome among asymptomatic women who had mammographic examination was negative in 69 (61.1%) women and positive in 44 (38.9%). The positive outcome noted in mammograms of women examined was: benign mass in 18 (15.9%) women; 9 (8.0%) had benign calcification; 7 (6.2%) showed architectural distortion; 5 (4.4%) was inconclusive; focal asymmetry in 3 (2.6%); and suspicious mass in 2 (1.8%).Conclusion:In this study, screening of women reveals various benign and malignant breast pathologies which necessitate early interventions.

Postoperative Imaging Appearance of an Implantable Three-dimensional Bioabsorbable Tissue Marker After Breast Surgery: Initial Experience at a Single Institution.

Three-dimensional bioabsorbable tissue marker (BTM) placement during breast surgery is performed for the purpose of improved surgical cavity delineation for radiotherapy and improved cosmetic outcome. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the postsurgical imaging findings of BTM. This Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective review included all patients implanted with BTM at breast surgery from January 2017 to September 2018. Demographics, tumor characteristics, imaging, and histologic findings were evaluated. Medical records were reviewed during a three-year period to evaluate for tumor recurrence. Ninety-seven patients had BTM implanted, of which 76 patients had imaging follow-up of at least 1 year. Of the 76 patients who had mammographic follow-up, 3 (3.9%) developed suspicious microcalcifications requiring biopsy, yielding ductal carcinoma in-situ in 2 patients and benign calcifications in 1 patient. Of 61 patients who had sonographic follow-up, 44 (72.1%) patients had complex fluid collections containing avascular, heterogeneously hyperechoic solid components, which remained stable or decreased in size over time; no recurrent tumors were found in this group. One patient (1.6%) had a vascular solid mass, which yielded recurrent papilloma. Four (6.6%) patients developed irregular hypoechoic masses at the surgical site, one of which corresponded with a developing asymmetry mammographically; biopsy yielded fibromatosis. Tissue sampling of the remaining three cases yielded invasive ductal carcinoma, fat necrosis, and radiation changes, respectively. Accurate identification of the expected postoperative imaging appearance of BTM may prevent unnecessary biopsy. Suspicious findings necessitating biopsy are pleomorphic calcifications, developing asymmetry and vascular and irregular hypoechoic masses.

Can digital breast tomosynthesis improve identification of malignant calcifications?

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is an emerging imaging tool for both the screening and diagnosis of breast cancers. However, the use of DBT in diagnosis of calcifications remains ambiguous. In this study, we investigated DBT findings that might help differentiate between benign and malignant calcifications. We enrolled 256 subjects and evaluated 303 breasts with grouped or segmental calcifications. All imaging examinations were performed using two-directional full-field digital mammography (FFDM) and DBT. We divided subjects into two groups, namely, "dense" and "fatty," based on the quantity of breast tissue and evaluated whether the growth of cancer causes increased the density overlapping with calcifications. Increased overlapping density was significantly associated with malignant calcifications (p < 0.001), and the identification of increased density was more accurate using DBT than using FFDM. Furthermore, we used DBT to evaluate whether segmental calcifications were continuous or discontinuous. Significantly more malignant than benign calcifications were associated with a continuous distribution (p = 0.035). Increased density overlapping with grouped calcifications was significantly associated with invasive cancers (p = 0.017). The findings of this study suggest that DBT improves the ability to differentiate between benign and malignant calcifications.

Outcome of mammography examination among asymptomatic women.

e13558 Background: Early detection of breast cancer is important in reducing mortality, morbidity and high socio-economic burden associated with it. Mammography is currently the primary imaging modality used as a screening tool to detect early breast cancer in women experiencing no symptoms as they are most curable in the early stage. The aim of the study is to determine the mammographic outcome in asymptomatic women who presented for mammographic breast examination in Abuja,Nigeria. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study comprises of 113 asymptomatic women who presented for mammographic examination at the Radiology department of University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada from March 2015 to December 2018. Two basic views (craniocaudal and mediolateral views) of the breast were obtained using EXR-650 machine.Additional views were obtained when necessary. Images of the breast were review by radiologist. Results: The mean age of study population was 40.72 ±10.45years with age range of 35 and 65 years. The mammographic outcome among asymptomatic women who had mammographic examination was negative in 69(61.1%) women and positive in 44(38.9%). The differences observed between the positive and negative mammographic outcome was statistically significant p = 0.01. The positive outcome noted in mammograms of women examined were: benign mass in 18(15.9%) women; 9(8.0%) had benign calcification; 7(6.2%) showed architectural distortion; 5(4.4%) was inconclusive; focal asymmetry in 3(2.6%); and suspicious mass in 2(1.8%). Conclusions: Mammogram is an important tool for screening and diagnoses of breast pathologies. In this study, screening of women reveals various benign and malignant breast changes which necessitate early interventions. Early detection of breast cancer save lives. [Table: see text]

Mammography-based radiomic analysis for predicting benign BI-RADS category 4 calcifications

PurposeWe developed and validated a radiomic model based on mammography and assessed its value for predicting the pathological diagnosis of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 4 calcifications. Materials and methodsPatients with a total of 212 eligible calcifications were recruited (159 cases in the primary cohort and 53 cases in the validation cohort). In total, 8286 radiomic features were extracted from the craniocaudal (CC) and mediolateral oblique (MLO) images. Machine learning was used to select features and build a radiomic signature. The clinical risk factors were selected from the independent clinical factors through logistic regression analyses. The radiomic nomogram incorporated the radiomic signature and an independent clinical risk factor. The diagnostic performance of the radiomic model and the radiologists’ empirical prediction model was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The differences between the various AUCs were compared with DeLong’s test. ResultsSix radiomic features and the menopausal state were included in the radiomic nomogram, which discriminated benign calcifications from malignant calcifications with an AUC of 0.80 in the validation cohort. The difference between the classification results of the radiomic nomogram and that of radiologists was significant (p < 0.05). Particularly for patients with calcifications that are negative on ultrasounds but can be detected by mammography (MG+/US- calcifications), the identification ability of the radiomic nomogram was very strong. ConclusionsThe mammography-based radiomic nomogram is a potential tool to distinguish benign calcifications from malignant calcifications.

Postoperative Cancer Surveillance Following Oncoplastic Surgery with Latissimus Dorsi Flap: a Matched Case-Control Study.

The latissimus dorsi (LD) myocutaneous flap is a widely used local option in oncoplastic surgery for avoiding breast deformities; however, concerns exist regarding its influence in monitoring recurrence. In this study, we evaluated the impact of this flap on postoperative cancer surveillance. Each patient receiving oncoplastic surgery with LD flap after partial mastectomy were matched in age, cancer stage, and body mass index with patients receiving partial mastectomy alone. Twenty-nine patients with the oncoplastic LD flap received 99 mammograms and 139 ultrasonograms, while 29 patients with partial mastectomy alone underwent 92 mammograms and 129 ultrasonograms. Mammographic and ultrasonographic findings were classified by Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category and reviewed. Any recommendations for additional evaluation and recurrence were documented. During an average follow-up period of 44months, although the oncoplastic group demonstrated more newly developed benign calcifications (control 14% vs. oncoplastic 41%; p = 0.019) on mammography, the percentage of recall for additional imaging in category 0, and the short-interval follow-up in category 3, was not different between the control and oncoplastic group. Regarding ultrasonography, BI-RADS category was also not different between the two groups; however, the control group showed more fluid collections than the oncoplastic group (control 21% vs. oncoplastic 0%; p = 0.023). One case of local recurrence was observed in the control group. Although there was an increase in benign calcifications in the oncoplastic group, there were no additional abnormal findings requiring further intervention. We concluded that the LD flap for oncoplastic surgery does not interfere with cancer surveillance, and even decreases the rate of fluid collection.

Growth Dynamics of Mammographic Calcifications: Differentiating Ductal Carcinoma in Situ from Benign Breast Disease.

Background Most ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) lesions are first detected on screening mammograms as calcifications. However, false-positive biopsy rates for calcifications range from 30% to 87%. Improved methods to differentiate benign from malignant calcifications are thus needed. Purpose To quantify the growth rates of DCIS and benign breast disease that manifest as mammographic calcifications. Materials and Methods All calcifications (n = 2359) for which a stereotactic biopsy was performed from 2008 through 2015 at Duke University Medical Center were retrospectively identified. Mammograms from all cases of DCIS (n = 404) were reviewed for calcifications that were visible on mammograms taken at least 6 months before biopsy. Women with at least one prior mammogram with visible calcifications were age- and race-matched 1:2 to women with a benign breast biopsy and calcifications visible on prior mammograms. The long axis of the calcifications was measured on all mammograms. Multivariable adjusted linear mixed-effects models estimated the association of calcification growth rates with patholo findings. Hierarchical clustering accounted for matching benign and DCIS groups. Results A total of 74 DCIS calcifications and 148 benign calcifications were included for final analysis. The median patient age was 62 years (interquartile range, 51-71 years). No significant difference in breast density (P > .05) or number of available mammograms (P > .05) was detected between groups. Calcifications associated with DCIS were larger than those associated with benign breast disease at biopsy (median, 10 mm vs 6 mm, respectively; P < .001). After adjustment, the relative annual increase in the long-axis length of DCIS calcifications was greater than that of benign breast calcifications (96% [95% confidence interval: 72%, 224%] vs 68% [95% confidence interval: 56%, 80%] per year, respectively; P < .001). Conclusion Ductal carcinoma in situ calcifications are more extensive at diagnosis and grow faster in extent than those associated with benign breast disease. The rate of calcification change may help to discriminate benign from malignant calcifications. © RSNA, 2019 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Diagnostic accuracy of the Videssa protein-based liquid biopsy for breast cancer in suspicious mammography.

e13034 Background: The Videssa protein-based blood test (Provista Diagnostics) is a combined proteomic biomarker assay that aims to detect established breast cancer – rendering it useful in patients with abnormal or difficult-to-interpret mammograms. Since the incidence of malignancy for BI-RADS 4 biopsies is approximately 20%, a significant percentage of patients undergo needle biopsy unnecessarily. The Videssa assay provides an alternative diagnostic method by way of a non-invasive liquid biopsy. Methods: Our goal was to assess whether this liquid biopsy combined with 3D tomographraphic mammography could accurately predict disease status to reduce the amount of unnecessary tissue biopsies. An IRB-approved, prospective, single-arm study had patients with BI-RADS4 lesions with calcifications requiring tissue biopsy undergo the blood test prior to stereotactic core biopsy. Subsequent results and biopsy pathology were correlated. Results: 46 patients were initially entered with BI-RADS4 calcifications. 9 patients had DCIS (19.6%) and 37 patients had benign calcifications (80.4%). No patient had invasive cancer. Liquid biopsy results were elevated in 2 patients with DCIS (22% sensitivity) and in 5 patients with benign biopsies (10.8%). At interim analysis, the liquid biopsy demonstrated a 28.5% positive predictive value (PPV) and 82% negative predictive value (NPV). Tumor grade did not affect results. We subsequently discontinued using the blood test for BI-RADS4 calcifications and enrolled 13 patients with non-palpable solid lesions to determine the correlation. The liquid biopsy was elevated in 1 of 4 patients with invasive cancer (25% sensitivity) and was not elevated in all 9 patients with benign biopsies (100% NPV). At one-year follow-up, 3 of the 5 patients with an elevated blood assay and negative biopsy have had no incidence of cancer on subsequent imaging. The remaining 2 patients are scheduled for follow-up. Conclusions: In our study, the NPV of the Videssa liquid biopsy is not robust enough to defer tissue biopsy in any patient with indeterminate calcifications on imaging, nor is it specific enough to help predict results in high risk solid lesions. We do not see this liquid biopsy changing our current practice.

Radiomics analysis for pathological classification prediction in BI-RADS category 4 mammographic calcifications.

e13055 Background: To establish and validate a radiomics-based imaging diagnostic model to predict Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 4 calcification of breast with mammographic images before biopsy and assess its value. Methods: A total of 212 BI-RADS category 4 pathology-proven mammographic calcifications without obvious mass on mammography were retrospectively enrolled (159 in primary cohort and 53 in validation cohort). All patients received ultrasound inspection and the results were available. 8286 radiomic features were extracted from each mammography images. We utilized machine learning to build a radiomic signature based on optimal features. Independent clinical factors were selected by multivariable logistic regression analysis, and we incorporated the radiomic signatures and risk clinical factors to build a radiomic nomogram. The performance of the radiomic nomogram were assessed by the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: Six features were selected to develop the radiomic signatures based on the primary cohort. Combining with menopausal states, the individualized radiomic nomogram reached an AUC of 0.803 in the validation cohorts, and its clinical utility was confirmed by the decision curve analysis. The difference was significant between the AUC value of differentiating results of the radiomic nomogram compared with ultrasound, mammography and combined modality respectively(p &lt; 0.05 in all three groups). Especially, for patients with MG+/US- calcifications, radiomics nomogram can be screen out benign calcifications. Conclusions: Based on mammographic radiomics, we developed a method for prediction of pathological classification in BI-RADS IV calcification, which has a certain predictive effect.

Conspicuity of suspicious breast lesions on contrast enhanced breast CT compared to digital breast tomosynthesis and mammography.

Compare conspicuity of suspicious breast lesions on contrast-enhanced dedicated breast CT (CEbCT), tomosynthesis (DBT) and digital mammography (DM). 100 females with BI-RADS 4/5 lesions underwent CEbCT and/or DBT prior to biopsy in this IRB approved, HIPAA compliant study. Two breast radiologists adjudicated lesion conspicuity scores (CS) for each modality independently. Data are shown as mean CS ±standard deviation. Two-sided t-test was used to determine significance between two modalities within each subgroup. Multiple comparisons were controlled by the false-discovery rate set to 5%. 50% of studied lesions were biopsy-confirmed malignancies. Malignant masses were more conspicuous on CEbCT than on DBT or DM (9.7 ±0.5, n = 25; 6.8 ± 3.1, n = 15; 6.7 ± 3.0, n = 27; p < 0.05). Malignant calcifications were equally conspicuous on all three modalities (CEbCT 8.7 ± 0.8, n = 18; DBT 8.5 ± 0.6, n = 15; DM 8.8 ± 0.7, n = 23; p = NS). Benign masses were equally conspicuous on CEbCT (6.6 ± 4.1, n = 22); DBT (6.4 ± 3.8, n = 17); DM (5.9 ± 3.6, n = 24; p = NS). Benign calcifications CS were similar between DBT (8.5 ± 1.0, n = 17) and DM (8.8 ± 0.8, n = 26; p = NS) but less conspicuous on CEbCT (4.0 ± 2.9, n = 25, p < 0.001). 55 females were imaged with all modalities. Results paralleled the entire cohort. 69%(n = 62) of females imaged by CEbCT had dense breasts. Benign/malignant lesion CSs in dense/non-dense categories were 4.8 ± 3.7, n = 33, vs 6.0 ± 3.9, n = 14, p = 0.35; 9.2 ± 0.9, n = 29 vs. 9.4 ± 0.7, n = 14; p = 0.29, respectively. Malignant masses are more conspicuous on CEbCT than DM or DBT. Malignant microcalcifications are equally conspicuous on all three modalities. Benign calcifications remain better visualized by DM and DBT than with CEbCT. We observed no differences in benign masses on all modalities. CS of both benign and malignant lesions were independent of breast density. CEbCT is a promising diagnostic imaging modality for suspicious breast lesions.

Analysis of Microcalcifications Using Block Wise Local Binary Pattern and Independent component analysis in Mammograms

In India, the average age of developing a breast cancer has undergone a significant shift over last few decades. Most prominent features that indicate breast cancer are microcalcifications. Microcalcifications are tiny calcium deposits deposited on skin and non-palpable. Automatic analysis of microcalcification helps specialist in having more precise decision. The paper presents an approach that involves classification of microcalcifications into benign/malignant in mammograms. Texture features such LBP and statistical features are extracted from ROIs with microcalcification and independent component analysis is applied to reduce the feature set. These feature set is fed to artificial neural networks to classify the ROIs into malignant and benign calcifications.

Diagnostic Breast Imaging and Breast Cancer Staging

This review is geared to provide surgeons practical insight on breast imaging, intended to improve breast cancer detection and staging. Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in women in the United States. The American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system provides a tumor-node-metastasis classification that helps in determining prognosis and patient treatment. There is an increasing role of radiologists in ascertaining the correct cancer stage. Screening mammography is the basic tool and most widely used modality to detect breast cancer. The diagnostic work-up of a patient recalled from screening is the next step in assessing the artifacts and benign findings from more suspicious lesions. Additional mammographic views, tomosynthesis, and ultrasonography play an important role in determining if the finding represents a true lesion and if so, to localize and determine its level of suspicion to be cancer. Breast MRI is used both as a screening tool and a diagnostic modality to help in cancer detection and treatment planning. Recognizing patterns of benign masses, malignant calcifications, architectural distortion, and masses via a multimodality approach is the essential first step in further diagnosis. A quick overview of common interventional breast procedures may serve as a practical reference for the readers. This review contains 10 figures, 8 tables, and 39 references. Key Words: breast cancer, breast MRI, breast ultrasonography, fibroadenoma, invasive ductal staging, male breast, mammograms, postoperative breast, screening

Diagnostic Performance of Digital Breast Tomosynthesis for Breast Suspicious Calcifications From Various Populations: A Comparison With Full-field Digital Mammography

The diagnostic performance difference between digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and conventional full-field digital mammography (FFDM) for breast suspicious calcifications from various populations is unclear. The objective of this study is to determine whether DBT exhibits the diagnostic advantage for breast suspicious calcifications from various populations compared with FFDM. Three hundred and five patients were enrolled (of which seven patients with bilateral lesions) and 312 breasts images were retrospectively analyzed by three radiologists independently. The postoperative pathology of breast calcifications was the gold standard. Breast cancer was diagnosed utilizing DBT and FFDM with sensitivities of 92.9% and 88.8%, specificities of 87.9% and 75.2%, positive predictive values of 77.8% and 62.1%, negative predictive values of 96.4% and 93.6%, respectively. DBT exhibited significantly higher diagnostic accuracy for benign calcifications compared with FFDM (87.9% vs 75.2%), and no advantage in the diagnosis of malignant calcifications. DBT diagnostic accuracy was notably higher than FFDM in premenopausal (88.4% vs 78.8%), postmenopausal (90.2% vs 77.2%), and dense breast cases (89.4% vs 81.9%). There was no significant difference in non-dense breast cases. In our study, DBT exhibited a superior advantage in dense breasts and benign calcifications cases compared to FFDM, while no advantage was observed in non-dense breasts or malignant calcifications cases. Thus, in the breast cancer screening for young women with dense breasts, DBT may be recommended for accurate diagnosis. Our findings may assist the clinicians in applying the optimal techniques for different patients and provide a theoretical basis for the update of breast cancer screening guideline.

Small low-risk pulmonary nodules on chest digital radiography: can we predict whether the nodule is benign?

To evaluate digital chest radiography (CR) performance compared to computed tomography (CT) for characterising small low-risk pulmonary nodules detected incidentally in non-oncological patients. A second aim was to assess the prevalence of calcification and possible false-positive findings mimicking nodules. Two hundred and seven patients who presented with a pulmonary nodule on CR and underwent CT were included prospectively. Nine radiologists blinded to the CT images reviewed the CRs assessing for the presence of nodules. Afterwards, the same radiologists evaluated the corresponding CT for the presence of nodules, dimensions, and calcification. If the nodule was not present on CT, it was considered a false-positive finding, and possible confounding factors on CR were investigated. Among all 213 nodules seen on CR, 32.4% were revealed to be false-positive findings on CT, mostly due to images formed by vessels (53.6%), osseous aetiologies (30.4%), and skin lesions (13%). Most nodules <6 mm detected on radiographies had benign calcification on CT (n=90; 67.7%). Comparatively, only 41.2% of nodules ≥6 mm on the CR had benign calcification. Among all nodules <6 mm detected on CR, 95.5% were calcified or not present at CT against 81.2% for those ≥6 mm (p<0.001). The present study demonstrated that 95.5% of pulmonary nodules smaller than 6 mm on CRs are either calcified (benign) or represent a false-positive finding on CT. These results suggest that nodule measures on CR smaller than 6 mm most likely represent a benign finding.

The impact of partial breast reconstruction with lateral chest wall perforator flaps on post-operative cancer surveillance

Background: Partial breast reconstruction (PBR) with chest wall perforator flaps (CWPFs) has extended the indications for breast conserving surgery (BCS) for women with breast cancer. As this is a relatively new technique, there is paucity of literature reporting the effects on surveillance mammograms. The aim of this paper is to characterize the mammographic findings of post BCS breast after CWPF and evaluate the outcomes and impact on surveillance mammograms. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database on all patients who underwent PBR with CWPF as part of BCS by a single surgeon. Mammograms done after surgery were reviewed and analysed for characteristic qualitative features and the need for additional imaging and/or biopsy. Results: Sixty-four women diagnosed with breast cancer underwent PBR over the study period (Aug 2011–Apr 2016). The median age at diagnosis was 50 years (range: 34–69 years) and 29.7% (19/64) were screen-detected. The median follow-up was 2 years (range: 1–5 years). Six patients were excluded as 4 subsequently underwent completion mastectomy, 1 refused mammographic surveillance and 1 had yet to have their first surveillance mammogram. A total of 58 patients who had at least one surveillance mammogram were included. In total, 134 mammograms were reviewed, of which 2.2% (3/134) required additional imaging and all required biopsy. The biopsy results were benign lesions (n=2) fat necrosis and 1 had benign calcifications with atypia. Conclusions: Surveillance mammographic follow-up after PBR with CWPF in women undergoing BCS for breast cancer is accurate with low recall & biopsy rates.

Analysis of surgical diagnosis and treatment of 150 cases with mammographic calcifications

Objective To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of mammographic calcifications found by mammary molybdenum target inspection. Methods 150 women who were found out with breast calcifications by mammary molybdenum target inspection and had been treated with surgical excision biopsy were selected.Their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Results In 150 cases of mammographic calcifications, 102 cases were benign lesions by pathologic diagnosis, and 48 cases were malignant.Compared the morphological characteristics of the benign and malignant breast calcifications, the nature of the lesion was associated with lesion size(χ2=5.55), the density of calcification(χ2=7.591) and the distribution of calcifications(χ2=11.859). Conclusion Mammographic calcifications found by mammary molybdenum target inspection has a certain clinical value for diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, so such patients should be encouraged to do biopsy to diagnose or exclude breast cancer. Key words: Mammary molybdenum target inspection; Breasl diseases; Surgical procedures, operation

Morphological detection and neuro-genetic classification of masses and calcifications in mammograms for computer-aided diagnosis

Diagnosis of breast cancer is the main worry of oncologists of this era, which knows an anxiogenic increase of the incidence in the world. This paper is destined for the semi-automatic detection of breast neoplasm taken, from digital mammograms of MIAS database (Mammographic Image Analysis Society). This research is focusing on analysis of masses and, calcifications. Therefore, the first phase of the system consists, on pre-processing of pathological structures, by morphological transformations in order to refine, the segmentation. The second step, realises extraction of clinical signs, according to adaptive deformable model which initialisation is guided by, the annotated suspicious zone. The third block is to characterise abnormalities, by morphometric and textural attributes, to generate their signature. The ultimate systemic description, categorises malignant and benign masses and calcifications from their knowledge, by a neuro-genetic classifier for computer-aided diagnosis. The elaborated decisional system, products, an accuracy of 99.25%, for the shape recognition.

Improving image quality for digital breast tomosynthesis: an automated detection and diffusion-based method for metal artifact reduction

In digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), the high-attenuation metallic clips marking a previous biopsy site in the breast cause errors in the estimation of attenuation along the ray paths intersecting the markers during reconstruction, which result in interplane and inplane artifacts obscuring the visibility of subtle lesions. We proposed a new metal artifact reduction (MAR) method to improve image quality. Our method uses automatic detection and segmentation to generate a marker location map for each projection (PV). A voting technique based on the geometric correlation among different PVs is designed to reduce false positives (FPs) and to label the pixels on the PVs and the voxels in the imaged volume that represent the location and shape of the markers. An iterative diffusion method replaces the labeled pixels on the PVs with estimated tissue intensity from the neighboring regions while preserving the original pixel values in the neighboring regions. The inpainted PVs are then used for DBT reconstruction. The markers are repainted on the reconstructed DBT slices for radiologists’ information. The MAR method is independent of reconstruction techniques or acquisition geometry. For the training set, the method achieved 100% success rate with one FP in 19 views. For the test set, the success rate by view was 97.2% for core biopsy microclips and 66.7% for clusters of large post-lumpectomy markers with a total of 10 FPs in 58 views. All FPs were large dense benign calcifications that also generated artifacts if they were not corrected by MAR. For the views with successful detection, the metal artifacts were reduced to a level that was not visually apparent in the reconstructed slices. The visibility of breast lesions obscured by the reconstruction artifacts from the metallic markers was restored.