Complementary imaging of breast lesions contribution of mammography, ultrasonography, fine-needle aspiration biopsy, and MR imaging

ABSTRACT

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the women. Fifty patients with suspected breast mass lesion [40 palpable and 10 nonpalpable] were included in this study. Both mammography and MRI [Plain and Contrast enhanced] were performed in every patient. Ultrasonography and galactorgraphy were performed in few patients whenever required. Following this, fine needle aspiration of the breast mass was done and the materials were studied cytopathologically. For nonpalpable lesions sensitivity of mammography and MRI was 65% and 90%, while the specificity was 25% and 50% respectively. For palpable lesions both methods showed high sensitivity [Mammography 90% and MRI 95%] and MRI demonstrated comparatively higher specificity [Mammography 30% and MRI 50%]. In two mammographically negative patients MRI showed positive result. With the complementary use of MRI, it is possible to increase the sensitivity for detection of breast cancer and multicentric disease. In patients in whom the status of a palpable breast mass remains unclear but where strong clinical suspicion exists, MRI may help to reduce the amount of unnecessary biopsies. This study aimed to assess the value of B-mode, nonenhanced and enhanced power Doppler ultrasonography [US], fine-needle aspiration biopsy [FNAB] and magnetic resonance [MR] imaging as adjunctive tools in breast diagnostics