Yoshihiro Uchida

Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging, multidetector row computed tomography, ultrasonography, and mammography for tumor extension of breast cancer

Introduction Breast imaging modalities can assess the tumor extent and adequacy of excision, but there have been no reports comparing magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT), ultrasonography (US) and mammography (MMG) for the tumor extent of breast cancer. We prospectively assessed the accuracy of MR imaging, MDCT, US and MMG for preoperative assessment of the tumor extent of breast cancer. Methods Preoperative MR imaging, MDCT, US and MMG were performed for 210 breasts with breast cancer. The MR and MDCT images were independently interpreted by one of two radiologists with knowledge of the clinical and MMG findings. The US was performed with knowledge of the clinical and MMG findings by one of five US technologists. The correlation of the results of these examinations with histological findings was examined. Results Of the 210 index breast tumors, 210 (100%) could be detected on MR, 208 (99%) were detected on MDCT, 209 (99.5%) were detected on US, and 195 (93%) were detected on MMG. For evaluating local tumor extent, the accuracy of MR imaging (76%) was significantly higher than those of MDCT, US, and MMG (71%, 56%, and 52%, respectively) (Pxa0=xa00.001, Pxa0<xa00.0001, and Pxa0<xa00.0001). MDCT was significantly more accurate than US (Pxa0<xa0.0001) or MMG (Pxa0<xa0.0001), and US was significantly more accurate than MMG (Pxa0=xa00.004). MR imaging and US had substantial risk (11% and 17%) of overestimation of the tumor extent. Regarding ductal carcinoma inxa0situ (DCIS), for non-comedo DCIS, the accuracies of MR imaging (89%), MDCT (72%), and US (61%) were significantly higher than the 22% accuracy of MMG (Pxa0<xa00.0001, Pxa0=xa00.012, and Pxa0=xa00.016), but for comedo DCIS, there were no significant differences among the four breast imaging modalities. Conclusion MR imaging was the most accurate breast imaging modality for the tumor exten of breast cancer, although MR imaging had a substantial of risk of overestimation. MR imaging, MDCT and US can complement MMG for the preoperative evaluation of patients who are candidates for breast-conserving surgery.

Breast carcinomas with strong high-signal intensity on T2-weighted MR images: pathological characteristics and differential diagnosis.

To investigate the histopathological characteristics of breast carcinomas with strong high‐signal intensity (SHi) on T2‐weighted (T2W) MR images (T2‐SHi), and discuss the differential diagnosis between T2‐SHi breast carcinomas and T2‐SHi fibroadenomas.

Comparison of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and Her-2 status in breast cancer pre- and post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is now a relatively standard treatment for breast carcinoma. However, some tumors are known to develop resistance to chemotherapies. We investigated whether the status of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and Her-2 expressions in breast cancer cases prior to NAC could be changed after NAC. We used immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) methods. No differences were found in ER or Her-2 status, but a significant difference was found in PR status. Changes in Her-2 status were suspected in four specimens after NAC (3+ to 1+ for 3 patients, and 1+ to 3+ for one patient) according to the IHC results. However, in all four of these cases, FISH of the resections showed no change. When IHC indicates a change in Her-2 expression after NAC, FISH is recommended.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging in screening detected microcalcification lesions of the breast: is there any value?

PurposeTo prospectively evaluate whether dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings can help predict the presence of malignancy when screening detected microcalcification lesions, and its contribution to patient management of stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (SVAB).Materials and methodsDynamic contrast-enhanced breast MR imaging was performed when screening 100 detected microcalcification lesions not visualized by ultrasonography with 11-gauge SVAB. Definitive surgery was performed on all patients with the biopsy resulting in the diagnosis of breast cancer or atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH). Positive predictive values (PPVs) and negative predictive values (NPVs) were calculated on the basis of a BI-RADS (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) category and the absence or presence of contrast uptake in the area of microcalcification.ResultsThe BI-RADS mammography category correlated with the diagnosis of breast cancer (ADH excluded): category 3xa0=xa07% (4/55); category 4xa0=xa048% (13/27); category 5xa0=xa094% (17/18). After dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging, three of four malignancies with BI-RADS mammography category 3 were diagnosed as true positive. Therefore, the PPV of BI-RADS mammography category 3 with MR imaging was 1.8% (1/55). The PPV of contrast uptake of MR imaging was 86% (32/37), significantly higher than the 67% (30/45) PPV of BI-RADS mammography 4 and 5 (Pxa0=xa00.033). The NPV of BI-RADS mammography 3 was 93% (51/55) versus 97% (61/63) NPV of MR imaging (Pxa0=xa00.167).ConclusionIn the evaluation of screening detected microcalcification lesions, dynamic contrast-enhanced breast MR imaging provides additional information with high PPV and NPV, and may therefore offer an alternative to SVAB for women who do not want to undergo SVAB with equivocal findings following full diagnostic mammographic assessment, but breast MR imaging with imperfect PPV and NPV cannot replace SVAB.Clinical relevanceDynamic contrast-enhanced breast MR imaging can demonstrate malignant microcalcifications detected by screening mammography and can be recommended in the evaluation of equivocal microcalcifications prior to SVAB.

Morphologic Study of Nipple-Areola Complex in 600 Breasts

To investigate the morphologic characteristics of the nipple-areola complex, the diameter of the nipple-areola complex and the height of the nipple in 300 adult women (600 breasts) were measured using micrometer calipers. Furthermore, the morphologic characteristics were classified into four types by visual observation. Mean diameter of the areola was 4.0xa0cm, mean diameter of the nipple was 1.3xa0cm, and mean height of the nipple was 0.9xa0cm. From the morphologic point of view, the elevated plateau type without constriction (IIs) was most commonly found, being present in 60.2% of breasts. Inverted nipples (III) were found in 3.5% and unclassified type (IV) such as multiple or divided nipples was found in 0.3%. Because women have become sensitive about the appearance of their breasts and there is increasing cosmetic interest following surgery for breast carcinoma, operations on the nipple-areola complex are now common. When a surgeon counsels a patient and designs a reconstruction method prior to operation, these data may be helpful.

Segmental enhancement on breast MR images: differential diagnosis and diagnostic strategy

The histopathological variations of segmental enhancement on breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were investigated, with the aim of identifying imaging characteristic clues to their differential diagnosis. We reviewed 70 breast MRI examinations demonstrating segmental enhancement, classified them based on their histopathology, and assessed their MRI findings as follows: (1) confluent or not confluent, (2) late enhancement pattern, and the absence or presence of (3) clustered ring enhancements and (4) surrounding high signal intensity (SI) on T2-weighted imaging. Thirteen lesions (18.5%) were benign, eight (11.5%) were high risk, 25 (36%) were ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and 24 (34%) were infiltrating mammary carcinomas (IMC). Clustered ring enhancements were demonstrated in 74% of malignancies (high risk, DCIS and IMC) but no benign lesions (Pu2009=u20090.0001). The surrounding high SI on T2-weighted imaging was seen in four of five IMC with marked lymphatic involvement. Clustered ring enhancement was not demonstrated in six of seven IMC of tubular and/or lobular types. Segmental enhancement was seen in not only DCIS but also IMC, high-risk and benign lesions. Clustered ring enhancement and surrounding high SI on T2-weighted imaging were clues to their differential diagnosis and helpful to decide their diagnostic strategy.

Axillary mass suspected to be occult breast carcinoma: a case study of skipped axillary lymph node metastasis from endometrial carcinoma in which core-needle biopsy was useful for diagnosis

A 55-year-old Japanese woman presented with metrorrhagia and was diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma. Chest computed tomography (CT), ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a left axillary mass. Regarding the diagnosis of the axillary mass, lymph node metastasis from the uterus was first suspected. Metastasis from the breast, lung, thyroid or stomach was considered next. On a general search including positron emission tomography (PET)-CT, there was no abnormality except endometrial carcinoma and the left axillary mass. Skipped axillary lymph node metastasis of endometrial carcinoma is extremely rare, with a reported incidence of 0.03% of endometrial carcinoma cases. The differential diagnosis was double carcinoma of the uterus and breast. We carried out US-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) of the axillary mass, and the histopathological findings suggested axillary lymph node metastasis from endometrioid carcinoma. US-guided CNB is a valid method for accurate diagnosis of an axillary mass.