Presentación clínica y hallazgos radiográficos de pacientes con diagnóstico histopatológico de mastitis granulomatosa idiopática / Clinical presentation and radiological findings of patients with histopathological diagnosis of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis

INTRODUCCIÓN. La mastitis granulomatosa idiopática es una patología inflamatoria benigna de mama con clínica y hallazgos imagenológicos no específicos; usualmente confundida con cáncer de mama. El síntoma más frecuente es una masa mamaria palpable. El diagnóstico es histopatológico. OBJETIVO. Describir el perfil demográfico, presentación clínica y hallazgos radiográficos de pacientes con diagnóstico histopatológico de mastitis granulomatosa idiopática. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS. Estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo. Población de 1130 y muestra de 49 datos de historias clínicas electrónicas de pacientes con diagnóstico histológico de mastitis granulomatosa idiopática con el código CIE10 N61x Trastornos Inflamatorios de la mama, atendidas en la Unidad Técnica de Imagenología del Hospital de Especialidades Carlos Andrade Marín en la ciudad de Quito entre enero 2019 hasta diciembre 2021. El criterio de inclusión fue la confirmación histopatológica de mastitis granulomatosa idiopática. Los criterios de exclusión: antecedentes de neoplasia maligna de mama, antecedentes de HIV, patología inflamatoria sistémica como granulomatosis de Wegener, sarcoidosis, infecciones granulomatosas crónicas como tuberculosis, brucelosis, histoplasmosis, sífilis y reacciones a cuerpos extraños como material de implantes mamarios. Se analizaron datos demográficos, presentación clínica, hallazgos mamográficos, ecográficos y la categorización BIRADS. Se efectuó un análisis univarial; para las variables cualitativas se realizó frecuencias y porcentajes; para las variables cuantitativas se realizó medidas de tendencia central. La información recolectada fue analizada en el programa estadístico International Business Machines Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. RESULTADOS La mediana de la edad fue 36 años. El 94,00% de pacientes tenían por lo menos un hijo; 77,50% presentaron con una masa palpable; 55,10% se acompañaron de signos inflamatorios; 16,00% asociaron fístulas y 24,40% presentaron secreción. Solo 1 caso presentó afectación bilateral. CONCLUSIÓN En este estudio, la mastitis granulomatosa idiopática afecta a mujeres en edad reproductiva sin antecedentes de malignidad quienes presentan una masa mamaria palpable que puede estar acompañada de signos inflamatorios, colecciones y fístulas. La realización de una biopsia core eco guiada, para confirmar su diagnóstico.

INTRODUCTION. Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis is a benign inflammatory breast pathology with nonspecific clinical and imaging findings; usually mistaken for breast cancer. The most frequent symptom is a palpable breast mass. The diagnosis is histopathologic. OBJECTIVE. To describe the demographic profile, clinical presentation and radiographic findings of patients with histopathologic diagnosis of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Observational, descriptive, retrospective study. Population of 1130 and sample of 49 data from electronic medical records of patients with histological diagnosis of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis with ICD10 code N61x Inflammatory disorders of the breast, attended at the Technical Imaging Unit of the Carlos Andrade Marín Specialties Hospital in the city of Quito between January 2019 and December 2021. The inclusion criterion was histopathological confirmation of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis. Exclusion criteria: history of malignant breast neoplasia, history of HIV, systemic inflammatory pathology such as Wegener's granulomatosis, sarcoidosis, chronic granulomatous infections such as tuberculosis, brucellosis, histoplasmosis, syphilis and reactions to foreign bodies such as breast implant material. Demographic data, clinical presentation, mammographic and ultrasound findings and BIRADS categorization were analyzed. Univariate analysis was performed; frequencies and percentages were used for qualitative variables; measures of central tendency were used for quantitative variables. RESULTS. The median age was 36 years. 94,00% of patients had at least one child; 77,50% presented with a palpable mass; 55,10% were accompanied by inflammatory signs; 16,00% were associated with fistulas and 24,40% presented with discharge. Only 1 case presented bilateral involvement. CONCLUSION. In this study, idiopathic granulomatous mastitis affects women of reproductive age with no history of malignancy who present with a palpable breast mass that may be accompanied by inflammatory signs, collections and fistulas. The performance of an echo-guided core biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

Histomorphometric analysis of liver biopsies of treated patients with Gaucher disease type 1

Gaucher disease (GD) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal disorder caused by a disturbance in the metabolism of glucocerebroside in the macrophages. Most of its manifestations - hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and bone pain - are amenable to a macrophage-target therapy such as enzyme replacement. However, there is increasing evidence that abnormalities of the liver persist despite the specific GD treatment. In this work, we adapted histomorphometry techniques to the study of hepatocytes in GD using liver tissue of treated patients, developing the first morphometrical method for canalicular quantification in immunohistochemistry-stained liver biopsies, and exploring histomorphometric characteristics of GD. This is the first histomorphometric technique developed for canalicular analysis on histological liver biopsy samples.

Core-Needle Biopsy Does Not Show Superior Diagnostic Performance to Fine-Needle Aspiration for Diagnosing Thyroid Nodules

Biopsia percutánea core con aguja gruesa guiada por tomografía computada en lesiones retroperitoneales: Experiencia de 10 años / CT-guided core biopsy for retroperitoneal lesions. Experience in 136 procedures

Background: CT-guided core biopsy is a widely used diagnostic technique for retroperitoneal lesions. Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic yield and safety of this procedure. Material and Methods: Review of medical records of 136 patients aged 57 ± 16 years (55% males) subjected to core biopsies performed between 2006 and 2016. Procedure images, biopsy reports and patients' medical charts were reviewed. Diagnostic yield was calculated in those patients whose final diagnosis was confirmed using strict criteria for malignancy. Results: A final diagnosis was confirmed in 122/136 patients. Of these, 110 had malignant lesions. The sensitivity and global accuracy of the procedure for malignancy were 93%. In only 4 of 13 benign lesions (31%), a specific diagnosis was obtained with the biopsy. Only minor complications were reported (6 small, self-contained hematomas). There were no major complications. Conclusions: CT-guided core biopsy of retroperitoneal lesions is a safe procedure, with an excellent diagnostic yield.

Does Radiofrequency Ablation Induce Neoplastic Changes in Benign Thyroid Nodules: A Preliminary Study

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the clinical feasibility of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of benign thyroid nodules along with cytomorphological alteration, and any malignant transformation through biopsy. METHODS: The data were retrospectively collected between April 2008 and June 2013 and core needle biopsy (CNB) was performed on 16 benign thyroid nodules previously treated using RFA. The parameters of the patients were compared, between the time of enrollment and the last follow-up examination, using linear mixed model statistical analysis. RESULTS: No atypical cells or neoplastic transformation were detected in the undertreated peripheral portion of treated benign nodules on the CNB specimen. RFA altered neither the thyroid capsule nor the thyroid tissue adjacent to the treated area. On histopathological examinations, we observed 81.2% acellular hyalinization, which was the most common finding. After a mean follow-up period of over 5 years, the mean volume of thyroid nodule had decreased to 6.4±4.2 mL, with a reduction rate of 81.3%±5.8% (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: RFA is a technically feasible treatment method for benign thyroid nodules, with no carcinogenic effect or tissue damage of the normal thyroid tissue adjacent to the RFA-treated zone.

A Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration versus Core Needle Biopsy for Thyroid Nodules: Pain, Tolerability, and Complications

BACKGROUND: To compare pain, tolerability, and complications associated with fine needle aspiration (FNA) versus core needle biopsy (CNB). METHODS: FNAs were performed using 23-gauge needles and CNBs were performed using 18-gauge double-action spring-activated needles in 100 patients for each procedure. Patients were asked to record a pain score using a 10-cm visual analog scale and procedure tolerability. Complications and number of biopsies were recorded. RESULTS: The median pain scores were similar for the FNA and CNB approaches during and 20 minutes after the biopsy procedures (3.7 vs. 3.6, P=0.454; 0.9 vs. 1.1, P=0.296, respectively). The procedure was tolerable in all 100 FNA patients and in 97 CNB patients (P=0.246). The mean number of biopsies was fewer in the CNB group (1.4 vs. 1.2, P=0.002). By subgroup analysis (staff vs. non-staff), no significant difference was detected in any parameter. There were no major complications in either group, but three patients who underwent CNB had minor complications (P=0.246). CONCLUSION: FNA and CNB show no significant differences for diagnosing thyroid nodules in terms of pain, tolerability, or complications.

Reliability of core needle biopsy as a second-line procedure in thyroid nodules with an indeterminate fine-needle aspiration report: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to summarize the published data and to provide more robust estimates regarding the issue of core needle biopsy (CNB) for discriminating thyroid nodules with indeterminate fine-needle aspiration (FNA) results. METHODS: The systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The sources comprised studies published through November 2017. Original articles that investigated CNB in indeterminate thyroid lesions were searched. A random-effects model was used for statistical pooling of the data. The I2 index was used to quantify the heterogeneity among the studies. The Egger test was carried out to evaluate the possible presence of significant publication bias. Quality assessment of the studies was performed according to QUADAS-2. RESULTS: A total of 205 articles were retrieved, seven were initially selected, and the data of five papers were ultimately pooled in a meta-analysis. The overall cancer rate was 34%. The rate of cancers correctly diagnosed by CNB was 83% (95% confidence interval [CI], 76 to 89), with neither heterogeneity (I2=25%) nor publication bias (Egger test, P=0.918). The rate of benign nodules correctly assessed by CNB was 84% (95% CI, 65 to 97), with significant heterogeneity (I2=93.4%) and publication bias (Egger test, P=0.016). CONCLUSION: Evidence was found that CNB can correctly diagnose the majority of nodules previously read as indeterminate on FNA.

Role of core needle biopsy as a first-line diagnostic tool for thyroid nodules: a retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of fine-needle aspiration (FNA), core needle biopsy (CNB), and combined FNA/CNB for the first-line diagnosis of thyroid nodules. METHODS: A total of 782 consecutive nodules that underwent simultaneous FNA and CNB were analyzed in this study. We compared the rate of inconclusive results and the diagnostic values for malignancy among FNA, CNB, and combined FNA/CNB. RESULTS: CNB showed a lower rate (10.2%) of inconclusive results than FNA (23.7%) (P < 0.001). Combined FNA/CNB showed a lower rate (6.5%) of inconclusive results than FNA (all nodules, P < 0.001; macronodules, P < 0.001; and micronodules, P < 0.001, respectively) or CNB (all nodules, P < 0.001; macronodules, P < 0.001; and micronodules, P=0.003, respectively). Combined FNA/CNB and CNB showed significantly higher sensitivity, accuracy, and diagnostic performance for malignancy as defined by criterion 1 (Bethesda category VI) or criterion 2 (Bethesda categories IV/V/VI) than FNA (P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the sensitivity, accuracy, or diagnostic performance between combined FNA/CNB and CNB (with criterion 1, P=0.063, P=0.063, and P=0.412, respectively; with criterion 2, P=0.500, P=0.500, and P=0.348, respectively). CONCLUSION: CNB was found to be more effective than FNA for the diagnosis of thyroid nodules, and its sensitivity and diagnostic performance for malignancy were similar to those of combined FNA/CNB. CNB has the potential to be an effective alternative first-line diagnostic tool for thyroid nodules when performed by an experienced operator.

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the thyroid gland: ultrasonographic features and the diagnostic role of core needle biopsy

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to present the ultrasonographic (US) features of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the thyroid gland and to evaluate the diagnostic utility of fineneedle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB). METHODS: Eight patients with nine metastatic RCC nodules in the thyroid glands who were treated from January 2002 to March 2015 in a single tertiary hospital were consecutively selected and retrospectively reviewed. US features and clinical history were obtained from the institution's medical database. FNA was performed nine times on eight nodules and CNB was performed six times on six nodules. The diagnostic utility of FNA and CNB was evaluated. RESULTS: All nine nodules showed mass formation without diffuse thyroid involvement. On ultrasonography, metastatic RCC nodules were solid (100%), hypoechoic (100%), and oval-shaped nodules with a well-defined smooth margin (88.9%) and increased vascularity (100%, with 55% showing extensive vascularity). No calcifications were noted in any nodules. Lymph node metastasis and direct extension to nearby structures beyond the thyroid gland were not found. One FNA (11%) was able to confirm metastatic RCC, whereas all six CNBs confirmed metastatic RCC. CONCLUSION: Metastatic RCC appears as oval-shaped hypoechoic solid nodules with well-defined smooth margins, no calcifications, and increased vascularity on ultrasonography. Characteristic US features along with a previous history of RCC should raise clinical suspicion, and CNB should be performed to make an accurate diagnosis.

Thyroid nodules with isolated macrocalcification: malignancy risk and diagnostic efficacy of fine-needle aspiration and core needle biopsy

PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine the malignancy risk of thyroid nodules with isolated macrocalcification and to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB). METHODS: From May 2008 to December 2014, a total of 44 patients with isolated macrocalcifications were enrolled from 4,081 consecutive patients who underwent FNA or CNB at a single institution. We assessed the malignancy risk of nodules with isolated macrocalcification. We compared the diagnostic results between FNA and CNB, and the diagnostic efficacy of each procedure was evaluated by the rate of inconclusive results. We compared the diagnostic performance for malignancy between FNA and CNB with a criterion of malignant or atypia/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (indeterminate) diagnostic results. We investigated whether the ultrasonographic feature of isolated macrocalcification was predictive of malignancy. RESULTS: The malignancy risk of nodules with isolated macrocalcification was 16.1% in 31 nodules with final diagnoses and 11.4% in all nodules. CNB demonstrated a significantly lower rate of nondiagnostic and inconclusive results than FNA (7.7% vs. 53.8%, P=0.002 and 15.4% vs. 57.7%, P=0.003, respectively) in 26 nodules that underwent both FNA and CNB. CNB showed a marginally higher diagnostic performance for identifying malignancy than FNA (P=0.067). The ultrasonographic features of the anterior margin of isolated macrocalcification were not predictive of malignancy (P>0.999). CONCLUSION: Thyroid nodules with isolated macrocalcification had a low to intermediate malignancy risk and should not be considered benign nodules. CNB showed a higher diagnostic efficacy than FNA in these nodules.

Malignant-looking thyroid nodules with size reduction: core needle biopsy results

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether malignant-looking thyroid nodules with size reduction were malignant or not. METHODS: From November 2010 to July 2011, we retrospectively enrolled 16 patients with 16 nodules (11 females and five males; mean age, 55 years) who underwent core needle biopsy (CNB), and whose thyroid nodules had malignant ultrasonographic (US) features, although they showed size reduction (>20% decrease in maximum diameter) during the follow-up period (mean, 37±27 months). The histologic findings of the CNB specimen were reviewed and correlated with the US findings. US studies were analyzed for their internal content, shape, margin, echogenicity, the presence of microcalcification and macrocalcification, inner isoechoic rim, and low-echoic halo. RESULTS: All nodules were confirmed as benign by CNB. Pathologic analysis was available for 12 CNB specimens. US imaging showed central hypoechogenicity or marked hypoechogenicity in all cases and a peripheral isoechoic rim in 15 nodules. US-pathologic correlation showed that the central hypoechoic area was primarily composed of fibrosis (12/12) and hemorrhage (8/12) and that the isoechoic rim was composed of follicular cells. CONCLUSION: In our study, the CNB results of all of the malignant-looking thyroid nodules with size reduction were benign and were primarily composed of internal fibrosis and hemorrhage. Understanding these US and pathologic features could prevent repeated fine-needle aspiration or unnecessary diagnostic surgery.

A pure mucocele-like lesion of the breast diagnosed on ultrasonography-guided core-needle biopsy: is imaging follow-up sufficient?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the upgrade rate of ultrasonography (US)-guided core-needle biopsy (CNB) of the breast for a pure mucocele-like lesion (MLL), to evaluate the clinical and radiologic features, and to correlate the image-pathologic features further on to guide the management of MLL. METHODS: Between January 2003 and February 2013, 14-gauge US-guided CNB was performed in 18,111 cases. Thirty-two cases associated with MLL were identified, and five cases of MLLs associated with breast carcinoma or with other high-risk breast lesions (i.e., atypical ductal hyperplasia [ADH], papillary lesions, lobular carcinoma in situ, and radial scar complex) were excluded. Among these 27 pure MLLs, 21 cases with surgical or vacuum-assisted excision (VAE) pathology were included in our study. Medical records, mammograms, and ultrasonograms were reviewed for the clinical and radiologic features of the cases. RESULTS: Among the 21 cases with pure MLLs at CNB, the final pathology showed a 0% proportion of cases upgraded to malignancy. All the 21 cases with either surgical or VAE pathology were benign MLLs including three cases of focal involvement of ADH (14.3%). The common features were mammographic features of microcalcifications that were round in shape and had a grouped distribution. The US features included oval shape, circumscribed margin, parallel orientation, complex solid and cystic echo pattern, no posterior feature, and complex solid and cystic echoic masses. The predominant Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRADS) category was 4A. All the lesions showed image-pathologic concordance. CONCLUSION: For pure MLL on US-guided CNB with image-pathologic concordance, close imaging follow-up might be considered instead of surgical excision.

Intramuscular Hemangioma in the Anterior Scalene Muscle Diagnosed by Core Needle Biopsy

Intramuscular hemangioma (IMH) is a rare, benign vascular lesion that frequently develops within skeletal muscles. Preoperatively, accurate diagnosis of IMH is often extremely difficult because of nonspecific clinical findings and the inaccuracy of fine-needle aspiration cytology. IMH is suspected in only 8% of preoperative diagnoses before surgical exploration. Here, we report a case of a 44-year-old man with a huge IMH in the anterior scalene muscle that was preoperatively diagnosed using ultrasonography-guided core needle biopsy, and was successfully treated based on preoperative clinical information.

Yields and Utility of Endoscopic Ultrasonography-Guided 19-Gauge Trucut Biopsy versus 22-Gauge Fine Needle Aspiration for Diagnosing Gastric Subepithelial Tumors

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the yields and utility of 19-gauge (G) Trucut biopsy (TCB) versus 22 G fine needle aspiration (FNA) for diagnosing gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs). METHODS: We retrieved data for 152 patients with a gastric SET larger than 2 cm who had undergone endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided 19 G TCB (n=90) or 22 G FNA (n=62). Relevant clinical, tumor-specific, and EUS procedural information was reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A specific diagnosis was made for 76 gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and 51 non-GIST SETs. The diagnostic yield of TCB was greater than that of FNA (77.8% vs. 38.7%, p<0.001). The percentage of non-diagnostic specimens (suspicious and insufficient) was significantly lower in the TCB group (6.7% and 15.5%, respectively) than in the FNA group (22.6% and 38.7%, respectively; both p<0.001). TCB accurately diagnosed 90.9% of GISTs and 81.1% of non-GIST SETs, whereas FNA accurately diagnosed 68.8% of GISTs and 14.3% of non-GIST SETs. There were nine technical failures with TCB, and the rate of adverse events did not differ between the groups (TCB vs. FNA, 3.3% vs. 8.1%; p=0.27). CONCLUSIONS: Nineteen-gauge TCB is safe and highly valuable for diagnosing gastric SETs larger than 2 cm if technical failure can be avoided.

Synchronous Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinomas Diagnosed by Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Biopsy

Cases of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with multiple masses accompanying underlying pancreatic diseases, such as intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, have been reported. However, synchronous invasion without underlying pancreatic disease is very rare. A 61-year-old female with abdominal discomfort and jaundice was admitted to our hospital. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed cancer of the pancreatic head with direct invasion of the duodenal loop and common bile duct. However, positron emission tomography-CT showed an increased standardized uptake value (SUV) in the pancreatic head and tail. We performed endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) for the histopathologic diagnosis of the pancreatic head and the evaluation of the increased SUV in the tail portion of the pancreas, as the characteristics of these lesions could affect the extent of surgery. As a result, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas were confirmed by both cytologic and histologic analyses. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis of the biopsy specimens was positive for carcinoembryonic antigen and p53 in both masses. The two masses were ultimately diagnosed as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, stage IIB, based on EUS-FNB and imaging studies. In conclusion, the entire pancreas must be evaluated in a patient with a pancreatic mass to detect the rare but possible presence of synchronous pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Additionally, EUS-FNB can provide pathologic confirmation in a single procedure.

Accuracy of Core Needle Biopsy Versus Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology for Diagnosing Salivary Gland Tumors

BACKGROUND: Core needle biopsy is a relatively new technique used to diagnose salivary gland lesions, and its role in comparison with fine needle aspiration cytology needs to be refined. METHODS: We compared the results of 228 ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy and 371 fine needle aspiration procedures performed on major salivary gland tumors with their postoperative histological diagnoses. RESULTS: Core needle biopsy resulted in significantly higher sensitivity and more accurate tumor subtyping, especially for malignant tumors, than fine needle aspiration. No patient developed major complications after core needle biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend ultrasoundguided core needle biopsy as the primary diagnostic tool for the preoperative evaluation of patients with salivary gland lesions, especially when malignancy is suspected.

Benign core biopsy of probably benign breast lesions 2 cm or larger: correlation with excisional biopsy and long-term follow-up

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of benign core biopsy of probably benign breast lesions (category 3) 2 cm or larger on the basis of excisional biopsy and long-term follow-up. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 146 category 3 lesions in 146 patients 2 cm or larger which were diagnosed as benign by ultrasound (US)-guided core biopsy. Patients were initially diagnosed as benign at core needle biopsy and then followed up with excisional biopsy (surgical excision, n=91; US-guided vacuum assisted excision, n=35) or breast ultrasonography (n=20). RESULTS: Of the 126 patients who underwent surgical excision or US-guided vacuum-assisted excision, 114 patients were diagnosed with benign lesions, 10 patients with borderline lesions (benign phyllodes tumor), and two patients with malignant phyllodes tumors. The probabilities of lesions being benign, borderline and malignant were 91.8% (134/146), 6.8% (10/146), and 1.4% (2/146), respectively. Of 13 patients who had growing masses on follow-up ultrasonography, three (23.1%) were non-benign (two benign phyllodes tumors and one malignant phyllodes tumor). CONCLUSION: US-guided core needle biopsy of probably benign breast mass 2 cm or larger was accurate (98.6%) enough to rule out malignancy. But, it was difficult to rule out borderline lesions even when they were diagnosed as benign.

Comparison of hormonal receptor and HER2 status between ultrasound-guided 14-gauge core needle biopsy and surgery in breast cancer patients

PURPOSE: To evaluate the concordance of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) statuses between ultrasound (US)-guided 14-gauge core needle biopsy (CNB) and surgery and to analyze whether the clinicopathological and imaging features including those from mammography and ultrasonography can predict the concordance in breast cancer patients. METHODS: The concordance of receptor status between CNB and surgery was assessed for 55 breast cancers in 55 women who underwent CNB before treatment. The clinicopathological and imaging features and the concordance rates were compared between the non-neoadjuvant chemotherapy (non-NAC) group and the NAC group according to the initial treatment. The concordance rates were analyzed according to the clinicopathological and imaging features, by using the chi-square or Fisher exact test and McNemar test for the categorical and the independent t-test for continuous variables. RESULTS: Among 55 women, 22 women (40%) were part of the non-NAC group and 33 women (60%) were part of the NAC group. The concordance rates were 0.86-1.00 in the non-NAC group and 0.76-0.88 in the NAC group. In all three receptors, the difference in the concordance rate between the two groups was not significant. In the NAC group, the absence of axillary lymph node metastasis (1.00, P=0.02) and visibility of cancer on mammography (0.93, P=0.04) showed the higher concordance of the HER2 status. CONCLUSION: Concordance of the receptor status between surgery and US-guided 14-gauge CNB was feasible in breast cancer patients. The absence of axillary lymph node metastasis after NAC and the visibility of cancer on mammography prior to NAC may be helpful for predicting the concordance of HER2 in breast cancer patients.

Malignancy Rates of Suspicious Breast Lesions in Patients on Annual Screening or Regular Follow-up Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to investigate the malignancy rates of BIRADS 4 and 5 lesions detected on annual screening or follow-up US and to correlate the malignancy rates with the rationales for biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2010 and 2011, among 2837 patients who underwent US-guided core-needle biopsy, 423 patients underwent screening or regular follow-up US examinations. Lesions were classified into four groups: newly detected suspicious lesions, benign lesions with interval growth, benign lesions with suspicious changes of US features and benign lesions with interval growth and suspicious changes of US features. RESULTS: The malignancy rates were as follows: BI-RADS 4A low suspicion of malignancy, 8.1% (31/379); 4B intermediate suspicion of malignancy, 56% (14/25); 4C moderate suspicion of malignancy, 71.4% (10/14); 5 highly suggestive of malignancy, 100% (5/5). The malignancy rates for the four groups were as follows: newly detected suspicious lesions, 17.46% (51/292); benign lesions with interval growth, 7.77% (7/90); benign lesions with suspicious changes of US features, 4% (1/25); benign lesions with interval growth and suspicious changes of US features, 6.25% (1/16). Comparison of the malignancy rate of newly detected suspicious lesions with that of benign lesions with interval growth revealed a statistically significant difference (p=0.038). No significant differences were observed between the other groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The malignancy rates of suspicious lesions detected on annual screening or follow-up US were similar to those of the reported BI-RADS data. A higher malignancy rate was observed for newly detected suspicious lesions than for lesions with interval growth.