Jee Eun Lee

Background 99mTc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile uptake of breast-specific gamma imaging in relation to background parenchymal enhancement in magnetic resonance imaging.

AbstractObjectivesThis study investigated factors that could affect background uptake of 99mTc- methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) on normal breast by breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI). In addition, the impact of background 99mTc-MIBI uptake on the diagnostic performance of BSGI was further investigated.MethodsOne hundred forty-five women with unilateral breast cancer who underwent BSGI, MRI, and mammography were retrospectively enrolled. Background uptake on BSGI was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. Patients were classified into non-dense and dense breast groups according to mammographic breast density. Background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) was rated according to BI-RADS classification. The relationship of age, menopausal status, mammographic breast density, and BPE with background 99mTc-MIBI uptake was analyzed.ResultsHeterogeneous texture and high background uptake ratio on BSGI were significantly correlated with younger age (p < 0.001, respectively), premenopausal status (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003), dense breast (p < 0.001, respectively), and marked BPE (p < 0.001, respectively). On multivariate analysis, only BPE remained a significant factor for background MIBI uptake (p < 0.001).There was a significant reduction in positive predictive value (p = 0.024 and p = 0.002) as background MIBI uptake and BPE grade increased.ConclusionsBPE on MRI was the most important factor for background MIBI uptake on BSGI. High background MIBI uptake or marked BPE can diminish the diagnostic performance of BSGI.Key Points• Age, menopause, density, and background parenchymal enhancement affect background MIBI uptake. • BPE is an independent factor for background MIBI uptake on BSGI. • Marked BPE may impair BSGI interpretation.

Role of shear-wave elastography (SWE) in complex cystic and solid breast lesions in comparison with conventional ultrasound

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the additional role of shear-wave elastography (SWE) in differential diagnosis of complex cystic and solid breast lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS From January 2013 to November 2013, 140 complex cystic and solid breast lesions from 139 consecutive patients were performed ultrasound and SWE prior to biopsy. BI-RADS ultrasound final assessment and SWE parameters were recorded for each lesion. Histopathologic diagnosis was used as the reference standard. RESULTS Among the 140 lesions, 30 lesions (21.4%) were malignant. The mean maximum elasticity (Emax) of malignant lesions (184.3 kPa) was significantly higher than that of benign lesions (45.5 kPa) (P<0.001). Homogeneity of elasticity and color pattern were significantly different from malignancy and benign lesions (P<0.05). Emax with cutoff value at 108.5 kPa showed Az value of 0.968 (95% CI, 0.932-0.985) with sensitivity of 86.7% and specificity of 97.3%. Using this cutoff value, false-positive rate was 2.7% and false-negative rate was 13.3%. By applying an Emax value of 108.5 kPa or less as a criterion for downgrading BI-RADS category 4a lesions to category 3 lesions, 103/123 (83.7%) lesions could be downgraded to category 3 lesions. CONCLUSION Additional use of SWE could reduce unnecessary benign biopsies in complex cystic and solid breast lesions.

Can preoperative 3-T MRI predict nipple-areolar complex involvement in patients with breast cancer?

PURPOSE To evaluate the diagnostic performances of preoperative 3-T breast MRI for predicting nipple-areolar complex (NAC) involvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed the predictors of NAC involvement in breast cancer, with diagnostic performances. RESULTS Among the 403 patients, 43 cases were surgically confirmed for NAC involvement. For predicting NAC involvement, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 60.5%, 87.5%, 36.6%, 94.9%, and 84.6%, respectively. Continuity to NAC, unilateral enhancement of NAC and thickening of NAC were significant magnetic resonance findings predictive of NAC involvement. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative 3-T breast MRI is a useful method to predict NAC involvement in breast cancer patients.

Digital breast tomosynthesis and breast ultrasound: Additional roles in dense breasts with category 0 at conventional digital mammography

PURPOSE To compare the diagnostic performances of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and ultrasound for the dense breasts with category 0 at conventional digital mammography. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was waived. Among the 1103 patients who underwent screening digital mammography at our institution, 769 (69.7%) patients had dense breasts. Of the 769 patients, 229 (29.8%) lesions were categorized as 0. DBT, breast ultrasound and digital mammography were performed in 108 (47.2%) patients. BI-RADS final assessments for DBT and ultrasound were recorded. Categories 1-3 were clinically considered as benign, and categories 4 and 5 were clinically considered as malignant. The diagnostic performances of breast ultrasound and DBT were correlated with final pathologic reports or follow-up images. RESULTS Among 108 lesions, 17 (15.7%) were malignant and 91 (84.3%) were benign. Sensitivity was 100% for both ultrasound (17/17) and DBT (17/17) and negative predictive value was also 100% for both ultrasound (49/49) and DBT (74/74). Specificity and positive predictive value for ultrasound were 53.9% (49/91) and 28.8% (17/59), respectively. Specificity and positive predictive value for DBT were 81.3% (74/91) and 50% (17/34), respectively. DBT showed higher diagnostic accuracy than that of breast ultrasound (DBT: 84.3%, 91/108; ultrasound: 61.1%, 66/108; p<0.001). The benign biopsy rate of DBT (50%, 17/34) was lower than that of ultrasound (71.2%, 42/59). CONCLUSION DBT showed better diagnostic performance than breast ultrasound for dense breasts with category 0. DBT may reduce the benign biopsy rate and short term follow-up.

Isolated Post-Transplantation Lymphoproliferative Disease Involving the Breast and Axilla as Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma

Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are a heterogeneous group of diseases that represent serious complications following immunosuppressive therapy for solid organ or hematopoietic-cell recipients. In contrast to B-cell PTLD, T-cell PTLD is less frequent and is not usually associated with Epstein Barr Virus infection. Moreover, to our knowledge, isolated T-cell PTLD involving the breast is extremely rare and this condition has never been reported previously in the literature. Herein, we report a rare case of isolated T-cell PTLD of the breast that occurred after a patient had been treated for allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation due to acute myeloblastic leukemia.

Segmental dilatation of the ileum: A report of two cases.

Segmental dilatation of the ileum is one of the uncommon causes of intestinal obstruction. Preoperative diagnosis of segmental dilatation of the ileum is difficult. We report two cases of this condition that were diagnosed preoperatively by contrast studies.

Visualization of Breast Microcalcifications on Digital Breast Tomosynthesis and 2-Dimensional Digital Mammography Using Specimens

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the visibility of microcalcifications of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and full-field digital mammography (FFDM) using breast specimens. Materials And Methods: Thirty-one specimens’ DBT and FFDM were retrospectively reviewed by four readers. Results: The image quality of microcalcifications of DBT was rated as superior or equivalent in 71.0% by reader 1, 67.8% by reader 2, 64.5% by reader 3, and 80.6% by reader 4. The Fleiss kappa statistic for agreement among readers was 0.31. Conclusions: We suggest that image quality of DBT appears to be comparable with or better than FFDM in terms of revealing microcalcifications.

An imaging protocol for dynamic contrast-enhanced breast MRI with 3.0T: using sagittal sequence interleaved between axial sequences

Background B1 transmission-field inhomogeneity has been reported at 3.0 Tesla (T) breast imaging. Enhancement measurements of breast cancers at 3.0T may be insufficient for some patients and improvements in imaging protocols are needed. Purpose To quantify B1 inhomogeneities in normal tissue and malignant masses at 3.0T breast MR imaging and to evaluate effect of an imaging protocol using an interleaved sagittal sequence in dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI). Material and Methods A total of 76 patients were included who underwent DCE-MRI of the breast at 3.0T with an imaging protocol consisting of 1st, 2nd, and 4–6th bilateral axial sequences, and 3rd and 7th unilateral sagittal sequences. Signal intensity (SI) of normal breast tissue was measured at nipple level in four bilateral locations (anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral). Mean whole breast and location specific SI were calculated and compared between right and left breast using a paired t-test. All malignant masses were classified into three groups according to tumor size on MRI (≤2 cm, 2–4 cm, >4 cm). SI of malignant masses was measured independently on axial and sagittal sequences. The axial–sagittal SI gap in each mass was calculated and difference between right and left breast was compared using the t test. Size of each malignant mass was compared with pathologic findings to assess performance of the imaging protocol. Results SI of normal breast tissue were lower for the right breast (R-L difference, −91.9; P < 0.0001) and in all four locations (anterior, P < 0.01; posterior, P < 0.01; medial, P < 0.0001; lateral, P < 0.0001). SI of malignant masses were lower for the right breast among same size of the lesions (P < 0.0001), particularly < 4 cm (P < 0.0001). Decreased right to left difference in SI was produced with an interleaved sagittal sequence, as axial–sagittal gap of malignant masses was significant when tumor locates on the right side (P < 0.001). The concordance rate in predicting size of mass in this imaging protocol was 92.2%. Conclusion The interleaved sagittal sequence is helpful to adjust reduced SI of malignant masses on right breast at 3.0T. This imaging protocol is clinically applicable by adding a single sequence during DCE-MRI of the breast.

Dystrophic Calcifications in the Breast from Secondary Hyperparathyroidism

Background: Soft tissue calcification is common in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism who have received long-term treatment with hemodialysis. However, calcifications in the breast parenchyma are not common. We report a case of a woman with dystrophic breast calcifications from secondary hyperparathyroidism. Case Report: A 65-year-old woman presented with a palpable mass in her right breast which she had discovered 1 month ago. She had a medical history of end-stage renal disease. Mammography and ultrasound revealed large dystrophic calcifications in both breasts. Core needle biopsy was performed for calcifications in the right breast, and the pathologic diagnosis was dystrophic calcification in the stroma from secondary hyperparathyroidism. Conclusion: Reviewing our case will contribute to a fast and correct diagnosis in patients with dystrophic breast calcifications and lab results indicating secondary hyperparathyroidism, and will help discriminate these benign lesions from malignancies.

Shear-Wave Elastography for the Differential Diagnosis of Breast Papillary Lesions

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic performance of shear-wave elastography (SWE) for the differential diagnosis of breast papillary lesions. Methods This study was an institutional review board-approved retrospective study, with a waiver of informed consent. A total of 79 breast papillary lesions in 71 consecutive women underwent ultrasound and SWE prior to biopsy. Ultrasound features and quantitative SWE parameters were recorded for each lesion. All lesions were surgically excised or excised using an ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted method. The diagnostic performances of the quantitative SWE parameters were compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results Of the 79 lesions, six (7.6%) were malignant and 12 (15.2%) were atypical. Orientation, margin, and the final BI-RADS ultrasound assessments were significantly different for the papillary lesions (p < 0.05). All qualitative SWE parameters were significantly different (p < 0.05). The AUC values for SWE parameters of benign and atypical or malignant papillary lesions ranged from 0.707 to 0.757 (sensitivity, 44.4–94.4%; specificity, 42.6–88.5%). The maximum elasticity and the mean elasticity showed the highest AUC (0.757) to differentiate papillary lesions. Conclusion SWE provides additional information for the differential diagnosis of breast papillary lesions. Quantitative SWE features were helpful to differentiate breast papillary lesions.