Diagnostic Value of Contrast-Enhanced Digital Mammography versus Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Preoperative Evaluation of Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced digital mammography (CEDM) and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CEMRI) in preoperative evaluations, and to evaluate the effect of each modality on the surgical management of women with breast cancer. METHODS: This single-center, prospective study was approved by the Institutional Review Board, and informed consent was obtained from all patients. From November 2016 to October 2017, 84 patients who were diagnosed with invasive carcinoma (69/84) and ductal carcinoma in situ (15/84), and underwent both CEDM and CEMRI, were enrolled. Imaging findings and surgical management were correlated with pathological results and compared. The diagnostic performance of both modalities in the detection of index and secondary cancers (multifocality and multicentricity), and occult cancer in the contralateral breast, was compared. The authors also evaluated whether CEDM or CEMRI resulted in changes in the surgical management of the affected breast due to imaging-detected findings. RESULTS: Eighty-four women were included in the analysis. Compared with CEMRI, CEDM demonstrated a similar sensitivity (92.9% [78/84] vs. 95.2% [80/84]) in detecting index cancer (p=0.563). For the detection of secondary cancers in the ipsilateral breast and occult cancer in the contralateral breast, no significant differences were found between CEDM and CEMRI (p=0.999 and p=0.999, respectively). Regarding changes in surgical management, CEDM resulted in similar changes compared with CEMRI (30.9% [26/84] vs. 29.7% [25/84], p=0.610). Regarding changes in surgical management due to false-positive findings, no significant differences were found between CEDM and CEMRI (34.6% [9/26] vs. 44.0% [11/25], p=0.782). CONCLUSION: CEDM demonstrated a diagnostic performance comparable with CEMRI in depicting index cancers, secondary cancers, and occult cancer in the contralateral breast. CEDM demonstrated similar changes in surgical management compared with CEMRI.

Suggested Protocol for Efficient Medical Image Information Exchange in Korea: Breast MRI

PURPOSE@#Establishment of an appropriate protocol for breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the study of image quality standards to enhance the effectiveness of medical image information exchange, which is part of the construction and activation of clinical information exchange for healthcare informatization.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#The recommended protocols of breast and MRI scans were reviewed and the questionnaire was prepared by a responsible researcher. Then, a panel of 9 breast dedicated radiologists was set up in Korea. The expert panel conducted a total of three Delphi agreements to draw up a consensus on the breast MRI protocol.@*RESULTS@#The agreed breast MRI recommendation protocol is a 1.5 Tesla or higher device that acquires images with prone position using a breast dedicated coil and includes T2-weighted and pre-contrast T1-weighted images. Contrast enhancement images are acquired at least two times, and include 60–120 seconds between images and after 4 minutes. The contrast enhancement T1-weighted image should be less than 3 mm in thickness, less than 120 seconds in temporal resolution, and less than 1.5 mm² in-plane pixel resolution.@*CONCLUSION@#The Delphi agreement of the domestic breast imaging specialist group has established the recommendation protocol of the effective breast MRI.

Evaluation of cervical lymph node metastasis in thyroid cancer patients using real-time CT-navigated ultrasonography: preliminary study

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of real-time neck computed tomography (CT)-guided ultrasonography (US) in detecting cervical neck lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data from 176 patients (mean age, 43 years; range, 23 to 74 years) with surgically confirmed PTC who underwent preoperative US, neck CT, and neck CT-guided US. We then compared the sensitivities and diagnostic accuracies of each of the three above modalities in detecting cervical LNM. RESULTS: Preoperative US showed 17.3% sensitivity and 58.5% diagnostic accuracy in detecting central LNM compared with 64.3% sensitivity and 89.2% diagnostic accuracy in detecting lateral neck LNM. Neck CT showed 23.5% sensitivity and 55.7% diagnostic accuracy in detecting central LNM and 71.4% sensitivity with 90.9% diagnostic accuracy in detecting lateral neck LNM. CT-guided US exhibited 37.0% sensitivity and 63.1% diagnostic accuracy in detecting central LNM compared with 92.9% sensitivity and 96.0% diagnostic accuracy in detecting lateral LNM. CT-guided US showed higher diagnostic accuracy with superior sensitivity in detecting central and lateral LNM than did US (P<0.001, P=0.011) and CT (P=0.026, P=0.063). CONCLUSION: Neck CT-guided US is a more accurate technique with higher sensitivity for detecting cervical LNM than either US or CT alone. Therefore, our data indicate that neck CT-guided US is an especially useful technique in preoperative examinations.

Ultrasonography-Guided Surgical Clip Placement for Tumor Localization in Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: We investigated the feasibility of using surgical clips as markers for tumor localization and their effect on the imaging evaluation of treatment responses after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). METHODS: A total of 16 breast cancers confirmed by needle biopsy in 15 patients were included in this study from October 2012 to June 2014. Under ultrasonography (US)-guidance, the surgical clips were placed prior to NAC. Additional mammography, breast US, and breast magnetic resonance examinations were performed within 10 days before surgery. The time period from marker insertion to operation date was documented. Images acquired via the three modalities were evalu-ated for the following parameters: location of clip, clip migration (>1 cm), the presence of complications from clip placement, and the effect of clips on the assessment of treatment. RESULTS: The mean time period was 128.6+/-34.4 days (median, 132.0 days) from the date of clip insertion to the date of surgery. The mean number of inserted clips was 2.3+/-0.7 (median, 2.0). Clip migration was not visualized by imaging in any patient, and there were no complications reported. Surgical clips did not negatively affect the assessment of treatment responses to NAC. CONCLUSION: Surgical clips may replace commercial tissue markers for tumor localization in breast cancer patients undergoing NAC without migration. Surgical clips are well tolerated and safe for the patient, easily visualized on imaging, do not interfere with treatment response, and are cost-effective.

Practice guideline for the performance of breast ultrasound elastography

Ultrasound (US) elastography is a valuable imaging technique for tissue characterization. Two main types of elastography, strain and shear-wave, are commonly used to image breast tissue. The use of elastography is expected to increase, particularly with the increased use of US for breast screening. Recently, the US elastographic features of breast masses have been incorporated into the 2nd edition of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) US lexicon as associated findings. This review suggests practical guidelines for breast US elastography in consensus with the Korean Breast Elastography Study Group, which was formed in August 2013 to perform a multicenter prospective study on the use of elastography for US breast screening. This article is focused on the role of elastography in combination with B-mode US for the evaluation of breast masses. Practical tips for adequate data acquisition and the interpretation of elastography results are also presented.

Thyroid Ultrasonography: Pitfalls and Techniques

Thyroid ultrasonography (US) plays a key role in the diagnosis and management of thyroid-related diseases. The aim of this article was to illustrate various pitfalls that can occur in utilizing thyroid US and techniques to prevent them. In this article, we present cases demonstrating the common pitfalls associated with US equipment, performance, normal thyroid structures, misinterpretations, and surrounding structures. Knowledge of these areas is essential to avoid misdiagnosis or improper disease management.

Ultrasound and Clinicopathological Characteristics of Triple Receptor-Negative Breast Cancers / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Triple receptor-negative (TRN) breast cancer is associated with high risk of recurrence and poor prognosis. The present study assessed the clinicopathologic characteristics and ultrasound (US) features of TRN breast cancers. METHODS: Pathological and biological data were reviewed for 558 breast cancer patients treated at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, between January 2003 and December 2009. The patients were separated into TRN breast cancer and non-TRN breast cancer groups, based on the results of immunohistochemical prognostic panels. Clinical and pathologic features were compared for the two groups. US features, including shape, orientation, margins, boundaries, echo patterns, posterior acoustic features, surrounding tissues, and microcalcifications, were determined for 41 TRN patients and 189 non-TRN controls (ER+/PR+/HER2-). RESULTS: Of 558 cases, 58 (10.4%) had the TRN phenotype. Four hundred and thirty-four cases (77.8%) were invasive ductal carcinomas. TRN cancer was significantly associated with specific characteristics of tumor size, nuclear grade, histologic grade, venous invasion, and lymphatic invasion. With respect to US features, TRN cancers were more likely to have an oval shape, a circumscribed margin, and marked hypoechogenicity. CONCLUSION: Tumor characteristics were different between TRN and non-TRN breast cancers, although US cannot differentiate the subtype of breast cancers TRN cancer tend to show somewhat different US morphology.

Solitary Drain-Site Recurrence after Lumpectomy for Breast Cancer

Locoregional recurrence after breast conservative surgery is not a rare event. However, a metastatic nodule solely at the surgical drain site seems to be extremely unusual. In this report, we present a patient who received a lumpectomy for breast cancer but a metastatic nodule developed at the drain site more than two years after her surgery.

Sarcomatoid Metaplastic Carcinoma of the Breast: A Case Report

Metaplastic breast carcinoma is a very rare disease with many different histologic subtypes including squamous cell, spindle cell, and heterologous mesenchymal growth (sarcomatoid, osseous). We report a case of sarcomatoid metaplastic carcinoma of the breast which was manifested as a well-circumscribed, round, hypoechoic mass on ultrasound.

Ultrasonographic and Mammographic Findings of Polyacrylamide Gel Injection Mammoplasty: A Case Report

Polyacrylamide gel has been widely used for soft tissue contouring for more than 30 years and has been used for breast mammoplasty augmentation in China since 1997. As Korea is close to China, Korean clinicians often encounter the patients who have undergone polyacrylamide gel augmentation mammoplasty. Therefore, radiologists should know the ultrasonographic and mammographic findings and the complications of polyacrylamide gel augmented mammoplasty; this can be helpful in the diagnosis and management of those patients. We report the characteristic radiological findings of a patient who had undergone mammoplasty augmentation with polyacrylamide gel.

Sonographic Features of Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast: A Pictorial Review

Phyllodes tumors of the breast are rare, accounting for 0.3-0.5% of breast neoplasms. The tumors are divided into benign, borderline and malignant lesions according to the histological features. Phyllodes tumors are commonly recurrent, so wide local excision is considered as the only curable treatment. Therefore, an accurate pre-operative diagnosis can reduce recurrence after treatment. On ultrasonography, benign phyllodes tumors are generally seen as well circumscribed, oval shaped, hypoechoic or isoechoic masses, and occasionally, internal clefts or cystic portions are visible. Borderline or malignant phyllodes tumors tend to be larger and more highly categorized than benign tumors. Most phyllodes tumors present as a palpable mass, which usually require sonographic evaluation with a core biopsy; however, the reported diagnostic accuracy is approximately 60 percent, due to limitations of the histological features. Thus, a follow-up ultrasonographic evaluation is essential after a core biopsy and a phyllodes tumor should be considered in cases of growth occurring after a benign biopsy.

Bile Duct Cannulation Guided by a Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage (PTBD) Tube: Modified Rendezvous Procedure / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To describe a simple and useful modification of the rendezvous technique using a PTBD tube as guidance. METHODS: From January 2005 to August 2006, a total of 436 ERCPs were performed. A diagnosis of choledocholithiasis was made in 235 cases. Deep cannulation of the bile duct using standard techniques was unsuccessful in 27 patients (11.5%). A precut papillotomy led to successful cannulation in 16 out of these 27 patients (59.3%). The remaining 11 patients (40.7%) underwent PTBD with the tube tip placed in the second portion of the duodenum. Bile duct cannulation was attempted with the guidance of a PTBD tube in 9 cases. In the other 2 cases, the transduodenal approach was impossible due to a previous Billroth II operation. RESULTS: Bile duct cannulation guided by a PTBD tube, which is also known as a modified rendezvous procedure, was successful in 9 out of 11 patients (81.8%). Deep cannulation of the bile duct was achieved in 100% of patients, who could be treated by endoscopy. There were 7 cases of transient hyperamylasemia (77.8%) but no procedure-related major complications or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Bile duct cannulation guided by a PTBD tube in patients with choledocholithiasis can be recommended when ERCP is unsuccessful using the standard technique.

Aberrant Cervical Thymic Cyst in an Adult : Case Report

Although cervical thymic cyst is rarely reported in adults, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis of cystic lesion developed on the lower lateral neck. Despite showing nonspecific image findings, sonography and sonography-guided aspiration biopsy are useful to distinguish cervical thymic cyst from other cystic lesions on the neck.

Optimized VBM in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease: Gray Matter Loss and Its Correlation with Cognitive Function

PURPOSE: To investigate the regional changes in gray matter volume by using optimized voxel based morphometry in the whole brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to determine its correlation with cognitive function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients with AD (mean mini mental state examination (MMSE) score = 20.4) and 19 age-matched control subjects (mean MMSE score = 29) participated in this prospective study. T1-weighted 3D-SPGR scans were obtained for each subject. These T1-weighted images were spatially normalized into study-specific T1 template and segmented into gray matter, white matter and CSF. After the images were modulated and smoothed, all of the gray matter images were compared with control images by using voxel-wise statistical parametric test (two-sample t-test). RESULTS: In patients with AD, total gray matter volume was significantly smaller than normal control (552+/-39 mL vs. 632+/-51 mL, p<0.001). Significant gray matter loss was seen in both the hippocampus and amygdala complexes, and the parahippocampi and frontoparietal cortices (p<0.01, family wise error corrected). Left cerebral atrophy was more prominent than the right. Loss of gray matter volume in both the superior frontal gyri and left inferior temporal gyrus had a strong correlation with lower MMSE score. CONCLUSION: Optimized VBM was able to visualize pathologic changes of AD in vivo. In AD there was widespread gray matter volume loss in the frontoparietal lobes as well as the medial temporal lobes and had a strong correlation between volume loss of specific cortical areas and MMSE score.