Histopathologic Analysis of BI-RADS Category 4a Breast Lesions Diagnosed by Ultrasonography / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: We analyzed the histopathologic findings of the patients with ultrasongraphic Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) Category 4a breast lesions to determine which patient can be excluded from any invasive, diagnostic procedure in the future. METHODS: Of the 180 cases of BI-RADS Category 4a breast lesions that were diagnosed with ultrasonography during a 6 month-period, 132 cases were pathologically confirmed and these were analyzed retrospectively. Four benign cases that did not undergo any further procedure after fine needle biopsy and 6 malignant cases (4.5%) were excluded from this study. RESULTS: Of the 122 cases, 77 cases (63.1%) showed homogeneous benign finding, and 45 cases (36.9%) showed heterogeneous finding that was made up of two or more different pathologic lesions. Fibroadenoma (55.8%) was the most frequent pathologic finding in the cases with homogeneous finding, followed by fibrocystic change (14.3%), and fibrosis (7.8%). The cases with heterogeneous finding presented fibrocystic change (55.5%), microcalcification (48.8%), ductal hyperplasia (42.2%), and fibroadenoma (31.1%) in the order of frequency. CONCLUSION: Lesion with heterogeneous histopathologic nature was the most frequent finding defined as category 4a in breast ultrasonography, followed by fibrodenoma, fibrocystic change, microcalcification, and ductal hyperplasia. Refining more specific ultrasonographic findings of these lesions would guarantee that radiologists exclude more benign lesions from category 4a.

Ultrasound Evaluation of Normal and Abnormal Fetuses: Comparison of Conventional, Tissue Harmonic, and Pulse-Inversion Harmonic Imaging Techniques

OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of tissue harmonic imaging (THI) and pulse-inversion harmonic imaging (PIHI) in the evaluation of normal and abnormal fetuses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one pregnant women who bore a total of 31 normal and ten abnormal fetuses underwent conventional ultrasonography (CUS), and then THI and PIHI. US images of six organ systems, namely the brain, spine, heart, abdomen, extremities and face were compared between the three techniques in terms of overall conspicuity and the definition of borders and internal structures. RESULTS: For the brain, heart, abdomen and face, overall conspicuity at THI and PIHI was significantly better than at CUS (p < 0.05). There was, though, no significant difference between THI and PIHI. Affected organs in abnormal fetuses were more clearly depicted at THI and PIHI than at CUS. CONCLUSION: Both THI and PIHI appear to be superior to CUS for the evaluation of normal or abnormal structures, particularly the brain, heart, abdomen and face.

Carcinoma of the Cervix: Usefulness of Dynamic and Contrast-Enhanced T1-weighted MR Imaging in Assessing theDepth of Stromal Invasion

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of contrast enhancement in assessing thedepth of stromal invasion in patients with uterine cervical tumors by comparing dynamic and late contrast-enhancedT1-weighted MR imaging with T2-weighted MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 58 surgically proven uterinecervical cancer patients, 31 in whom tumors were seen on MRI were included in this study. Using a 1.5 T magnet,T2-weighted contrast-enhanced dynamic, and T1-weighted MR imaging were performed. In each MR imaging sequence,tumor visualization, margin delineation, enhancement pattern and depth of stromal invasion were evaluated onsagittal images and were correlated with pathological findings of resected uterus, focusing on the depth ofstromal invasion. RESULTS: Surgical FIGO stages were IB1 in 20 patients, IB2 in three, IIA in six, and IIB intwo. A tumor was detected in 29 (94%) patients on T2-weighted images, in 26 (84%) on dynamic contrast enhancedimages, and in 28 (90%) on contrast enhanced T1-weighted images. The tumor demonstrated a clear margin in 22 (71%)patients on late contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images, in 21 (68%) on dynamic images, and in 13 (42%) onT2-weighted images. Correlated with pathologic findings, the depth of stromal invasion was overestimated onT2-weighted images in eight (26%) patients, and on dynamic and late contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images in three(10%) and three (10%) respectively. CONCLUSION: Tumor margins are clearer and the extent of tumors may be moreaccurately evaluated on dynamic MR and late contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging. These sequences thas seem to beuseful, and superior to T2-weighted imaging, for assessing the depth of stromal invasion in patients with cervicalcarcinoma.

Diagnostic Accuracy and Usefulness of Three Dimensional Image of Helical CT in Maxillofacial Fractures

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the diagnostic accuracy and usefelness of three dimensional CT, plain radiography and two-dimensional axial CT in cases of maxillofacial fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plain radiography, two dimensional axial CT, and three dimensional helical CT images of eighty-two maxillofacial fractures in 45 patients were retrospectively analyzed according to detectability of fracture and displacement. The diagnostic accuracy of each modality was analysed using the Ridit method. RESULTS: Two- and three-dimensional CT were superior to plain radiography in evaluating fracture and displacement (p=0.001, 0.039), though the type of CT used did not cause significantly variation in the accuracy with which fracture and diferrent were diagnosed. CONCLUSION: Three dimensional helical CT is useful not only in the detection of fracture but in the evaluation of displaced maxillofacial fractures, especially if these are multiple and the complex.

Value of Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Sialolithiasis of Submandibular Gland

PURPOSE: To describe the normal sonographic anatomy of the submandibular duct and to assess the value of sonography in the diagnosis of sialolithiasis of the submandibular gland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using continuous injection of saline via a sialography needle, we evaluated the normal sonographic anatomy of the submandibular duct in healthy volunteers (n=5). We also reviewed sonographic findings in 47 patients with (n=29) or without (n=18) stones. In each case, the presence or absence of stone was proved by sialography or surgery. RESULTS: In control subjects, sonography accurately depicted the ductal anatomy of the submandibular glands and its relationship with adjacent tissues. For the detection of stones, sonography had a sensitivity of 86%, a specificity of 100%, and an accuracy of 91%. For ductal dilatation, its sensitivity was 91%, its specificity, 100%, and its accuracy, 94%. In 68% of cases with stones, a circumferential low echoic rim surrounding the stone ("rim sign") was present on sonogram. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound is a useful procedure and could replace sialography in most patients with sialolithiasis of the submandibular gland.

Distal Ureteral Calculi: The Usefulness of Transrectal Ultrasound and Comparision with Intravenous Urography

PURPOSE: To determine the usefulness of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and to compare TRUS with intravenousurography (IVU) in the evaluation of distal ureteral calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TRUS and IVU were perfomed in 24 patients with distal ureteral calculi. Using TRUS, we evaluated the presence and size of calculus, type of ureteral jet at the affected site and diameter of ureter proximal to calculus, and using IVU evaluated the presence and size of calculus, degree of ureteral obstruction, and degree of hydroureter. TRUS and IVU findings, were compared. RESULTS: In each patient, TRUS detected calculus of the distal ureter ; in only 18cases (75%),were the calculi demonstrated with IVU. In 18 cases where calculi were detected by both modalities, average calculus size was 4.5 X 3.0mm (longest and shortest dimensions) by IVU, and 6.1 X 3.7 mm by TRUS. Betwee TRUS and IVU(p0.05). CONCLUSION: TRUS appears to be a useful adjunctive method for the evaluation of distal ureteral calculus.

Interobserver Variation in Interpretation of Mammograms: Focused on Findings Suggestive of Malignancy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the inter observer variation in interpretation of the mammographic findings suggesting malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two mammograms of proven breast cancer were retrospectively analyzed by5 radiologists based on the 15 findings that suggest malignancy. Using kappa value, the degree of interobserver agreement was calculated. RESULTS: There were fair to excellent interobserver agreements for 5 findings which were clustered microcalcifications(k=0.7642), ductal calcifications (k=0.5463), lobulated mass(k=0.4539), asymmetric breast parenchyma (k=0.4487) and nipple retraction(k=0.4061). The finding in which kappa value was lessthan 0.2 were intramammary lymph node(k=0.1572), duct ectasia(k=0.1453), phleomorphic calcifications(k=0.1309), architectural distortion(k=0.1247) and stellate mass(k=0.0200). CONCLUSION: The most reliable finding suggesting breast cancer was clustered microcalcifications.