Second-look Ultrasound Research Articles

Incidental enhancing lesions found on preoperative breast MRI: management and role of second-look ultrasound

This study prospectively assessed second-look ultrasound (US) for the evaluation of incidental enhancing lesions identified on preoperative breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Between 2004 and 2007, 182 patients with malignant breast lesions detected on US and/or X-ray mammography and confirmed by cytology/histology underwent preoperative breast contrast-enhanced (CE)-MRI. Patients with incidental lesions on breast MRI underwent second-look high-resolution US directed at the site of the incidental finding. Diagnosis of incidental lesions was based on biopsy or 24-month follow-up. Breast MRI detected 55 additional lesions in 46/182 (25.2%) patients. Forty-two of 55 (76.3%) lesions were detected on second-look US in 38/46 (82.6%) patients. Malignancy was confirmed for 24/42 (57.1%) correlate lesions compared with 7/13 (53.8%) noncorrelate lesions. Second-look US depicted 8/9 (88.8%) Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) 5, 16/22 (72.7%) BI-RADS 4 and 18/24 (75%) BI-RADS 3 lesions. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and positive and negative predictive values for lesion detection/diagnosis was 100%, 88.9%, 94.6%, 90.3% and 100% for MRI and 64.3%, 70.4%, 67.3%, 69.2% and 65.5% for second-look US. Improved performance for US was obtained when masslike lesions only were considered. Second-look US is a confirmatory method for incidental findings on breast MRI, particularly for mass-like lesions.

Clinical Outcome of Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Detected Additional Lesions in Breast Cancer Patients

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the clinical outcome of additional breast lesions identified with breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in breast cancer patients.MethodsA total of 153 patients who underwent breast MRI between July 2006 and March 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Thirty-three patients (21.6&) were recommended for second-look ultrasound (US) for further characterization of additional lesions detected on breast MRI and these patients constituted our study population.ResultsAssessment for lesions detected on breast MRI consisted of the following: 25 benign lesions (73.5&), two indeterminate (5.9%), and seven malignant (20.6%) in 33 patients. Second-look US identified 12 additional lesions in 34 lesions (35.3%) and these lesions were confirmed by histological examination. Of the 12 lesions found in the 11 patients, six (50.0%) including one contralateral breast cancer were malignant. The surgical plan was altered in 18.2% (six of 33) of the patients. The use of breast MRI justified a change in treatment for four patients (66.7%) and caused two patients (33.3&) to undergo unwarranted additional surgical procedures.ConclusionBreast MRI identified additional multifocal or contralateral cancer which was not detected initially on conventional imaging in breast cancer patients. Breast MRI has become an indispensable modality in conjunction with conventional modalities for preoperative evaluation of patients with operable breast cancer.

Second‐look us examination of MR‐detected breast lesions

To review our institutional experience in using second-look ultrasound (SLUS) to identify breast lesions initially detected on MR imaging that were indeterminate or suspicious for malignancy. This Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliant retrospective review included 83 women with 131 lesions initially identified as indeterminate or suspicious for malignancy on MR imaging from February 1, 2008 through July 31, 2009. An SLUS correlate was confirmed on the basis of concordant location, size, and morphologic features. The detection rate of SLUS was determined. Patients' demographics, lesion size, and MR imaging morphologic features (focus, mass, non-masslike) were reviewed to identify which factors led to successful detection on SLUS. Likelihood ratio χ(2) tests were used for statistical analysis. SLUS correlates were found for 88 of 131 (67%) lesions initially detected on MR imaging; 27 of 88 (31%) were malignant. SLUS detected foci (67%) and masses (73%) more frequently than it did non-masslike lesions (54%). The detection rate of SLUS was independent of lesion size on MR imaging. Malignant lesions were not more likely than benign lesions to be detected on SLUS (61% versus 70%). SLUS provides value in the clinical workup of breast lesions that are indeterminate or suspicious for malignancy. It identified two thirds of the MR-detected lesions evaluated and permitted performance of US-guided needle biopsy on 70 of 88lesions. The likelihood of finding MR-detected lesions on SLUS was significantly higher for foci and masses than for non-masslike lesions (P < 0.05).

Abstract P2-02-10: Clinical Utility of MRI before Re-Lumpectomy in Breast Conserving Operation

Abstract Background: It was necessary to know the resection margin status for breast conserving operations after diagnostic excisional biopsies. The purposes of this study were to assess the accuracy of breast MRI in detecting residual tumor extent around excisional biopsy or mammotome biopsy sites with unknown resection margin status and evaluate the impact of MRI on surgical treatment planning for breast conserving operation. Material and Methods: Preoperative breast MRI was performed in 47 breast cancer patients who underwent mammotome biopsy and excisional biopsy with unknown resection margin status. All subjects underwent breast MRI and ultrasonography for extent of residual tumor, and were evaluated by experienced two diagnostic radiologists, followed by immediate curative operation. We investigated the correlation between radiologic and pathologic finding and the radiologic decision's effect on further surgical treatment. Results: 28 patients(59.6%) were taken by excisional biopsy, 13 patients by mammotome biopsy(27.7%), and 6 patients(12.8%) by lumpectomy. Twenty-five patients (53.1%) underwent re-lumpectomy, while 19 patients (40.4%) mastectomy, and 3 patients(6.3%) only sentinel lymph node biopsy. Residual tumor was present in 33 patients (70.3%) and multifocal breast cancer was found in 12 patients (25.5%). In terms of the accuracy of MRI in detecting residual tumor, the sensitivity was 63.6%, specificity was 45.5% and the positive predictive value was 77.7%. In that of ultrasonographies, the sensitivity was 52.3%, specificity was 88.8%, and the positive predictive value was 91.6%. Pathologic finding of residual tumor showed that ductal carcinoma in situ was most common (57.1%) in not only radiologic-pathologic concordant cases, but also in radioloigc-pathologic discordant cases (58.3%). But 5 patients (10.6%) with invasive ductal carcinoma in residual tumor were not detected by MRI. Positive predictive value was not associated with residual tumor sizes. The MR findings of residual tumor changed the next procedure from re-lumpectomy to mastectomy (10 patients), additional biopsy of suspicious lesion in ipsilateral breast (2 patients), and second-look ultrasonography (4 patients). Discussion: Preoperative MRI was not critical effect on evaluating the margin status around excisional biopsy sites. An important clinical role of MRI is to identify a subset of patients with extensive residual or multifocal breast cancer who would be better served by undergoing mastectomy rather than breast conserving operation. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-02-10.

Magnetic resonance-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy: results in 100 Japanese women

The aim of this study was to clarify the frequency of malignancy and the histopathological characteristics of the lesions in patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB). A retrospective review of 100 consecutive patients with 102 lesions who had undergone MRI-guided VAB was performed. The biopsies were performed on a 1.5-T MR scanner using a commercially available biopsy system. None of the lesions seen with MRI could be detected by mammography or second-look ultrasonography. The average lesion sizes of the focus, mass, and nonmass lesions before the biopsy were 4.5, 8.2, and 21 mm, respectively. Twelve patients (12%) had lesions located in the deep portion of the breast, close to the pectoral muscle. The biopsy was successfully performed without important side effects in all patients. Histopathological findings were invasive ductal carcinoma in 6 (6%), in situ carcinoma in 28 (27%), and high-risk and benign in 68 (67%). Two high-risk lesions were upgraded to ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and three DCIS lesions were upgraded to invasive ductal carcinoma at surgical excision. The high rate of DCIS might be a unique feature among Japanese women. However, MRI-guided VAB is necessary for MRI-only visible suspicious lesions in Japan.

Use of Serum Progesterone Concentration for Timing Breast MRI Examinations and Avoiding False-Negative Findings

Use of Serum Progesterone Concentration for Timing Breast MRI Examinations and Avoiding False-Negative FindingsSergi Ganau, Melcior Sentís and Lidia TortajadaAudio Available | Share

Utility of second-look ultrasound in the management of incidental enhancing lesions detected by breast MR imaging

To assess the utility of second-look ultrasound (US) for identifying and characterising incidental enhancing lesions detected by breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). From among 655 consecutive breast MRI studies, 62 lesions (MRI visible, nonpalpable, occult at first-look US and mammography) were recommended for second-look US. MRI enhancement of lesions was mass-like in 59 cases (95%) and non-mass-like in three (5%). Forty-two lesions (68%) were ≤10 mm; only three lesions (5%) were >20 mm. Of all lesions, the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) MRI category was highly suggestive of malignancy in six cases (10%), suspicious abnormality in 33 (53%) and probably benign in 23 (37%). The correlation between MRI lesion appearance, lesion size, histopathology findings and detection rate at second-look US were analysed. The reference standard was histopathology and/or follow-up (range 18-24 months). Statistical analysis was performed with the Fisher exact test. Second-look US identified 44 out of 62 (71%) lesions depicted at MRI. The detection rate at second-look US was higher for mass-like MRI lesions (75%) than non-mass-like lesions (0%), for lesion size >10mm (90%) and for BI-RADS 4 lesions (88%). Second-look US-guided biopsy detected 12 out of 17 (71%) malignant lesions. There was no correlation between the likelihood of carcinoma and the presence of a sonographic correlate. Second-look US is a reliable problem-solving tool in identifying and characterising most incidental MRI findings. It contributes to accurately selecting the cases in which MRI-guided biopsy is required.

Vacuum-assisted biopsies under MR guidance: results of 72 procedures

To investigate the clinical accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging-guided breast vacuum-assisted biopsy (MR-VAB). Of 97 scheduled MR-VAB for single MRI lesions (negative second-look sonography) categorised as BI-RADS 4 or 5, 4 were cancelled (undetected lesion = 2, technical problems = 2). Twenty-one patients lost to follow-up were excluded. Twenty-three patients (median age 51 years) were at high risk (BRCA1 = 11, BRCA2 = 7, familial risk = 5), 23 had a suspected local recurrence of breast cancer. Seventy-two imaged lesions (focus = 1, mass enhancement = 32, non-mass-like enhancement = 39) were targeted with a 10-gauge VAB probe using MRI guidance, with a median of 18 specimens per lesion (median procedural time 72 min, range 50-131 min) followed by clip placement. In the case of benignity, MRI follow-up was performed (19 patients, median 389 days, range 33-1,592) or mammography (3 patients, median 420 days, range 372-1,354). According to histopathology results, 29 lesions were benign, 10 were high-risk (papillary = 2, radial scar = 1, atypical epithelial hyperplasia = 7) and 33 malignant (ductal carcinoma in situ = 8, invasive cancers = 25). Three false negative results and 3 complications occurred (1 malaise, 1 skin defect, 1 infection). MRI-guided VAB represents an accurate tool for the histological diagnosis of lesions visible only at MRI.

Community-Based Practice Experience of Unsuspected Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging Abnormalities Evaluated With Second-Look Sonography

The purpose of this study was to assess the utility and efficacy of second-look breast sonography in the evaluation of abnormalities identified on presurgical breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. A retrospective review was performed of 152 presurgical breast MRI examinations having 196 unsuspected abnormalities to identify findings that underwent subsequent breast sonography. Eligible examinations had a suspicious abnormality identified on presurgical MRI and documentation of the location and size of the finding on MRI and subsequent second-look sonography. Fourteen examinations not meeting the criteria were excluded, with 182 abnormalities remaining. Patient medical records were reviewed. Seventy percent (128 of 182) of breast MRI lesions were visible at second-look sonography; 30% (54 of 182) were sonographically occult. Ninety-five percent (121 of 128) of sonographically visible abnormalities underwent breast biopsy. Pathologic examinations of sampled sonographically visible lesions revealed 39 cancers, 9 high-risk lesions, 72 benign lesions, and 1 lesion not specified at surgery; 23% (9 of 128) of cancers were in the contralateral breast. Fifty-four lesions were sonographically occult. Needle biopsy was performed for 93% (50 of 54) of occult lesions, revealing 8 cancers, 1 high-risk lesion, and 41 benign lesions; 3 of the benign lesions did not have sufficient pathologic specimens but were benign at follow-up. Magnetic resonance imaging guidance was used in 86% (43 of 50) of these biopsies. One contralateral cancer was identified in the sonographically occult subset. Of the 182 lesions that underwent second-look sonography, 20% (36 of 182) had a change in management. Second-look sonography has value in the evaluation of abnormalities found on breast MRI. We found enhancements in 70% (128 of 182), yielding 39 cancers.

Indications for breast magnetic resonance imaging. Consensus document “Attualità in senologia”, Florence 2007

The clinical use of breast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is increasing, especially for applications requiring paramagnetic contrast-agent injection. This document presents a synthetic list of acceptable indications with potential advantages for women according to evidence from the literature and the expert opinion of the panel that developed this statement. We generally recommend that breast MR imaging be performed in centres with experience in conventional breast imaging [mammography and ultrasonography (US)] and needle-biopsy procedures (under stereotactic or US guidance) as well as in breast MR imaging and second-look US for findings not revealed by conventional imaging performed before MR imaging. In our opinion, there is no evidence in favour of breast MR imaging as a diagnostic tool to characterise equivocal findings at conventional imaging when needle-biopsy procedures can be performed, nor for the study of asymptomatic, non-high-risk women with negative conventional imaging. After a description of technical and methodological requirements, we define the indications and limitations of breast MR imaging for surveillance of high-risk women, local staging before surgery, evaluation of the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, breast previously treated for carcinoma, carcinoma of unknown primary syndrome, nipple discharge and breast implants.

MR-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy: is it an essential technique?

In the United States and Europe, MR-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) is required for MR-only visible suspicious lesions that cannot be identified with mammography or ultrasonography. However, it is controversial as to whether MR-guided VAB is essential or not in Japan. The purpose of this study was to clarify the frequency of malignancy among the patients that underwent MR-guided VAB, and to discuss the need for this technique in Japan. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of our hospital. A retrospective review was performed of 30 consecutive patients who had undergone MR-guided 11-gauge VAB. The biopsies were performed on a 1.5 T MR scanner using a commercially available biopsy system. All lesions seen with MRI could not be detected by mammography and second-look ultrasonography. All 30 lesions were assessed as category 4 or 5. The average lesion size of a mass enhancement before biopsy was 0.7 cm, and the average lesion size of a non-mass-like enhancement was 2.3 cm. The average number of cores of VAB was 19. The median time required to perform the VAB procedure was 35 min. The biopsy was successfully performed without important side effects in all patients. Histopathological findings were invasive ductal carcinoma in one (3%); ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in seven (23%); and benign in 22 (73%). In one case, atypical ductal hyperplasia at VAB was upgraded to DCIS at surgical excision. MR-guided VAB can be performed safely and it is needed for MR-only visible suspicious lesions in Japan.

Outcome of initially only magnetic resonance mammography-detected findings with and without correlate at second-look sonography: Distribution according to patient history of breast cancer and lesion size

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the outcome of initially only magnetic resonance mammography (MRM)-detected breast lesions as a function of radiologic features, history of breast cancer and lesion size. We evaluated core needle biopsy (CNB) (148) and follow-up (25) results of 173 initially only MRM-detected lesions—142 with and 31 without “second-look” correlate, as a function of (1) radiologic features (sonographic correlate, MRI BI-RADS category); (2) history of breast cancer; (3) MRM indication in case of history of breast neoplasm; (4) side and size of synchronous cancer; (5) lesion diameter. (1) Overall malignancy rate was 28.3% (49/173); significantly higher among lesions with a sonographic correlate (46/142), than among those without (3/31) ( p=0.014). Frequencies of malignancy for MRI BI-RADS categories 2, 3, 4 and 5, were 0% (0/1), 5.4% (4/73), 26.1% (17/65) and 82.3% (28/34), respectively. (2) Malignancy rate was significantly higher in case of history of breast carcinoma (40/118 versus 9/55; p=0.027); in particular, of 42 MRI BI-RADS category 3 lesions in women with history of breast cancer and of 31 in patients without history, 3 (7%) and 1 (3%) proved to be malignant, respectively (non-significant). (3) Malignancy was more frequent when MRM was performed for pre-operative assessment than for follow-up (30/78 versus 10/40; non-significant). (4) Malignancy rate increased in presence of ipsilateral (19/35 versus 11/43; p=0.018), large (cut-off 6 mm: 30/75 versus 0/3, non-significant; 11 mm: 28/61 versus 2/17, p=0.011; 16 mm: 24/48 versus 6/30, p=0.015; 21 mm: 14/21 versus 16/57, p=0.004) primary tumors. (5) The frequency of malignancy was significantly higher in lesions equal to or larger than 6, 11 and 16 mm, compared with smaller lesions (6 mm: 45/136 versus 4/37, p=0.007; 11 mm: 21/51 versus 28/122, p=0.025; 16 mm: 12/24 versus 37/149, p=0.021). Radiologic features, history of breast cancer and large diameter are associated with high likelihood of malignancy in case of initially only MRM-detected lesions. Nevertheless, biopsy might be spared just for MRI BI-RADS 3 lesions in patients without history of breast carcinoma.

Breast MRI for Evaluating Patients with Metastatic Axillary Lymph Node and Initially Negative Mammography and Sonography

ObjectiveWe wanted to investigate the ability of breast MR imaging to identify the primary malignancy in patients with axillary lymph node metastases and initially negative mammography and sonography, and we correlated those results with the conventional imaging.Materials and MethodsFrom September 2001 to April 2006, 12 patients with axillary lymph node metastases and initially negative mammography and sonography underwent breast MR imaging to identify occult breast carcinoma. We analyzed the findings of the MR imaging, the MR-correlated mammography and the second-look sonography. We followed up both the MR-positive and MR-negative patients.ResultsMR imaging detected occult breast carcinoma in 10 of 12 (83%) patients. Two MR-negative patients were free of carcinoma in the ipsilateral breast during their follow-up period (39 and 44 months, respectively). In nine out of 10 patients, the MR-correlated mammography and second-look sonography localized lesions that were not detected on the initial exam. All the non-MR-correlated sonographic abnormalities were benign.ConclusionBreast MR imaging can identify otherwise occult breast cancer in patients with metastatic axillary lymph nodes. Localization of the lesions through MR-correlated mammography and second-look sonography is practically feasible in most cases.

MRI in the Early Detection of Breast Cancer in Women with High Genetic Risk

Women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 germline mutations have an elevated risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer. Because of the early onset of the disease, screening of this group of women should start at an earlier age than in the general population. The association of breast magnetic resonance imaging (BMRI) and ultrasonography (US) with mammography (MX) and clinical breast examination (CBE) in the regular surveillance of these individuals has been proposed and seems to improve the early detection of breast cancer. Within a multicenter study started by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Rome), at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori of Milan (INT) we enrolled 116 women at high genetic risk for breast cancer; they were either BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers or had a strong family history of breast cancer. They underwent CBE, MX, US and BMRI once a year. Between June 2000 and April 2005, at INT 12 cancers were detected among the 116 screened individuals (10%). In this subgroup, 1 patient refused BMRI and in 2 cases US was not performed. With BMRI we found 11 cancers and 6 of them were detectable only by this technique. In these 6 cases, the size of the disease was less than 1 cm and MX was false negative due to irregularly nodular parenchyma in 4 cases and scar tissue or prosthesis in the other 2. US was not performed in 2 cases and was false negative in 4 cases. Three false positive results were found with BMRI: 1 case was considered suspect but related to hormonal influences; 1 case with the same pattern was sent for second-look US, which gave a negative result and BMRI review after 6 months showed normalization of the parenchyma; in the third case histology revealed the presence of adenosis. No false positive results were registered for MX. The aim of secondary prevention is the detection of cancer at its earliest stage. BMRI screening in women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations or at high familiar risk appears to be highly sensitive and may detect mammographically occult disease. The accuracy of MR imaging is higher than that of conventional imaging but the technique is flawed by a lower specificity. In order to avoid unnecessary biopsies we believe that the combination of BMRI and conventional imaging can be very useful in screening women with a high genetic risk of breast cancer, especially with second-look evaluation by means of US when BMRI yields the only positive diagnostic result. Second-look US has been demonstrated to be of critical importance both in recognizing false positive BMRI results and in guiding biopsies, when necessary.

Value of selective second-look sonography by radiologists.

To assess the usefulness of sonography performed by radiologists after a review of the sonographer's findings. A total of 398 sonograms were obtained in 392 patients. Sonographers presented preliminary images and impressions to radiologists, who performed additional imaging and recorded their conclusions. Radiologists also attempted to predict in which cases their scan was likely to show new findings or to refute the sonographer's findings. Follow-up data were obtained whenever the sonographer's and the radiologist's findings disagreed. In 28 cases, the radiologist made important new findings. Positive initial findings were refuted in 24 cases. Discrepant findings were seen in 22% of cases in which additional scanning was predicted to be beneficial, compared with only 6% of cases in which second-look sonography was predicted not to be of value. This difference was statistically significant (P<.0001). Second-look sonography by radiologists provides a valuable check of the sonographer's findings.