Menopausal hormone therapy on breast lesions in perimenopausal women / 预防医学

Objective@#To explore the correlation between menopausal hormone therapy（MHT）and breast lesions in perimenopausal women,and to provide evidence for safe use of MHT. @*Methods@#The 40-60 year-old women who visited Hangzhou Women's Hospital and met the diagnostic criteria for perimenopausal syndrome were recruited. The intervention group received MHT and was divided into three subgroups according to the MHT regimen：estrogen-progesterone cycle therapy（A）,estrogen-progesterone continuous therapy（B）,estrogen therapy（C）. The control group did not receive MHT. All the patients received regular mammography to quantify and evaluate breast lesions. The generalized estimating equation was used to analyze the changes of breast lesions between different groups.@*Results@#There were 80 cases in the intervention group,with 49 in group A,26 in group B,5 in group C,and 80 cases in the control group. After two years of follow-up,there was no statistically significant differences of time,group and interaction in breast density,volume of breast fibrous tissue and the volume of breast between three intervention groups and the control group（P>0.05）; there was no statistically significant differences of group and interaction in positive rate of calcification and breast mass between the intervention group and the control group（P>0.05）. @*Conclusion@#Receiving MHT intervention for two years did not increase the risk of breast lesions.

US-Guided Vacuum-Assisted Biopsy of Microcalcifications in Breast Lesions and Long-Term Follow-Up Results

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the use of an ultrasonography (US)-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy for microcalcifications of breast lesions and to evaluate the efficacy of the use of US-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy with long-term follow-up results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: US-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy cases of breast lesions that were performed between 2002 and 2006 for microcalcifications were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 62 breast lesions were identified where further pathological confirmation was obtained or where at least two years of mammography follow-up was obtained. These lesions were divided into the benign and malignant lesions (benign and malignant group) and were divided into underestimated group and not-underestimated lesions (underestimated and not-underestimated group) according to the diagnosis after a vacuum-assisted biopsy. The total number of specimens that contained microcalcifications was analyzed and the total number of microcalcification flecks as depicted on specimen mammography was analyzed to determine if there was any statistical difference between the groups. RESULTS: There were no false negative cases after more than two years of follow-up. Twenty-nine lesions were diagnosed as malignant (two invasive carcinomas and 27 carcinoma in situ lesions). Two of the 27 carcinoma in situ lesions were upgraded to invasive cancers after surgery. Among three patients diagnosed with atypical ductal hyperplasia, the diagnosis was upgraded to a ductal carcinoma in situ after surgery in one patient. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of specimens with microcalcifications and the total number of microcalcification flecks between the benign group and malignant group of patients and between the underestimated group and not-underestimated group of patients. CONCLUSION: US-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy can be an effective alternative to stereotactic-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy in cases where microcalcifications are visible with the use of high-resolution US.

Spontaneous Disappearance of Microcalcifications in Breast Papillary Carcinoma: Case Report

Spontaneous disappearance of breast calcification has rarely been reported. The majority of cases of spontaneously resolving calcifications have been concerned with benign processes. We report here on breast papillary carcinoma that showed spontaneously resolving microcalcifications without newly developed parenchymal changes on the follow-up mammogram.

Calcifications on Breast Ultrasonography

Breast calcification is a very common and representative radiological finding visualized on a wide spectrum of breast diseases. Its detection and morphologic characterization are very important for the diagnosis and differentiation of breast lesions, for which mammography is the imaging modality of choice. Although ultrasonography is a very feasible tool in problem-solving diagnosis and interventional procedures of breast masses, it suffers limitations in the detection and characterization of microcalcifications. Recently, identification of microcalcifications on ultrasonography has become more frequent because of the advent of high-frequency transducer and improvements in spatial resolution. The importance of sonographic detection of breast calcifications lies in the fact that sonographically guided biopsy can be more easily and precisely performed for the suspicious lesions with microcalcifications (BI-RADS category 4 or 5). Additionally, the sonographic features correlating with mammographic findings are valuable for differentiate between malignant and benign lesions. This article describes the equipment and techniques to improve the detection rate of microcalcifications, the imaging features of various breast diseases with calcifications, and the suitable sonographically guided intervention.

Breast Arterial Calcification on Mammogram: Correlation with Carotid Arterial Atherosclerosis on Ultrasonogram

PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence of breast arterial calcification in Korean women, and to determine its association with systemic diseases and carotid arterial atherosclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One thousand seven hundred and thirteen female subjects who underwent mammography at a health care center between May 1999 and May 2000 were included in this study. Of the total, 172 were found to have breast arterial calcification, and were classified according to age. The coincidence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia was examined in both the subject group and the control group selected on the same age basis. To investigate the presence and degree of carotid atherosclerosis, sonographic maging was performed and the findings were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The incidence of breast arterial calcification showed statistically significant differences according to age, with a higher incidence in older patients (p<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference in the incidence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus between groups. Carotid atherosclerosis was subjects more prevalent among subjects than in the control group (p<0.05), though there was no statistically significant difference in the degree of luminal stenosis. CONCLUSION: The most common pathologic cause of breast arterial calcification is arteriosclerosis. Breast arterial calcification is demonstrated at mammography, along with other clinical risk factors for atherosclerosis or coincidental neurologic symptoms. We stress that further evaluation of the carotid artery is necessary.

Hyperdense Dots Mimicking Microcalcifications: Mammographic Findings

PURPOSE: To differentiate fine hyperdense dots mimicking microcalcifications from true microcalcifications on mammography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Mammograms showing hyperdense dots in ten patients (mean age, 59 years) were evalvated. Two radiologists were asked to differentiate with the naked eye the hyperdense dots seen on tenmammograms and proven microcalcifications seen on ten mammograms. Densitometry was also performed for all lesions and the contrast index was calculated. The shape and distribution of the hyperdense dots were evaluated and enquiries were made regarding any history of breast disease and corresponding treatment. Biopsies were performed for two patients with hyperdense dots. RESULTS: Two radiologists made correct diagnoses in 19/20 cases(95%). The contrast index was 0.10-0.88 (mean 0.58) for hyperdense dots and 0.02-0.45 (mean 0.17) for truemicrocalcifications. The hyperdense dots were finer and homogeneously rounder than the microcalcifications. Distribution of the hypendense dots was more superficial in subcutaneous fat (seven cases) and subareolar area(six cases). All ten patients with hyperdense dots had history of mastitis and abscesses and had been treated byopen drainage (six cases) and/or folk remedy (four cases). In eight patients, herb patches had been attached. Biopsies of hyperdense dots did not show any microcalcification or evidence of malignancy. CONCLUSION: These hyperdense dots were seen mainly in older patients. Their characteristic density, shape, distribution and clinical history makes differential diagnosis from true microcalcifications easy and could reduce unnecessary diagnostic procedures such as surgical biopsy.

Clustered Microcalcifications without Mass on Mammography: Benignancy vs. Malignancy

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of differentiation between benign and malignant clustered microcalcifications without mass on mammogram. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourty six mammogramsof 44 patients showing clustered microcalcifications without mass were interpreted blindly by five independent observers majoring in breast imaging from different institutions. Twenty two were malignant (10 infiltratingductal carcinomas, 12 intraductal carcinomas) and 24 were benign (all fibrocystic disease). The observers judgebenignancy or malignancy of microcalcifications. The authors assess the accuracy of differential diagnosis of clustered microcalcifications. RESULT: Of 24 cases proved benign microcalcifications, five radiologists correctly interpreted 20 on average as benign and of malignant 22 cases, 16 on average were correctly interpreted asmalignant. The diagnostic accuracy of malignant microcalcifications was 71.8% on average(63.6%-81.8%) and the diagnostic accuracy for benign microcalcifications was 83% on average(71% - 92%). It was 9 among total 46 cases that were misinterpreted by more than three radiologists. Among these 9 cases, malignant microcalcifications thathad been misinterpreted as benign were seven, benign microcalcifications misinterpreted as malignant were two. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic accuracy of clustered malignant microcalcifications(71.8%) without mass on mammogramwas lower than that of benign microcalcifications(83.3%). So, in case of suspected malignant microcalcification onmammogram, it is preferable that along with magnification view, histopathologic confirmation by core biopsy mustbe obtained.