Stereotactic core needle breast biopsy marker migration: An analysis of factors contributing to immediate marker migration.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate breast biopsy marker migration in stereotactic core needle biopsy procedures and identify contributing factors. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 268 stereotactic biopsy markers placed in 263 consecutive patients undergoing stereotactic biopsies using 9G vacuum-assisted devices from August 2010-July 2013. Mammograms were reviewed and factors contributing to marker migration were evaluated. Basic descriptive statistics were calculated and comparisons were performed based on radiographically-confirmed marker migration. RESULTS: Of the 268 placed stereotactic biopsy markers, 35 (13.1%) migrated ≥1 cm from their biopsy cavity. Range: 1-6 cm; mean (± SD): 2.35 ± 1.22 cm. Of the 35 migrated biopsy markers, 9 (25.7%) migrated ≥3.5 cm. Patient age, biopsy pathology, number of cores, and left versus right breast were not associated with migration status (P> 0.10). Global fatty breast density (P= 0.025) and biopsy in the inner region of breast (P = 0.031) were associated with marker migration. Superior biopsy approach (P= 0.025), locally heterogeneous breast density, and t-shaped biopsy markers (P= 0.035) were significant for no marker migration. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple factors were found to influence marker migration. An overall migration rate of 13% supports endeavors of research groups actively developing new biopsy marker designs for improved resistance to migration. KEY POINTS: • Breast biopsy marker migration is documented in 13% of 268 procedures. • Marker migration is affected by physical, biological, and pathological factors. • Breast density, marker shape, needle approach etc. affect migration. • Study demonstrates marker migration prevalence; marker design improvements are needed.

Surveillance of probably benign (BI-RADS 3) lesions in mammography: what is the right follow-up protocol?

BI-RADS-3 is a category in mammography for probably benign lesions and for which periodic follow-up with repeat imaging is recommended. At our institution repeated mammograms are performed at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. The purpose of this study was to assess the significance of 18-month mammogram for evaluation of BI-RADS-3 lesions. Following IRB approval, electronic medical records and picture archiving and communications system were used to review 121,862 consecutive mammograms between February, 2002-May, 2009. A total of 8,400 patients with BI-RADS-3 mammograms were identified. Of these, 7,632 patients were followed until completion of 24 month mammogram or biopsy following an upgrade in their BI-RADS status. Over the follow-up, 197 patients received an upgrade in their BI-RADS status of which 179 were biopsied. Histopathologic results were reviewed. The majority of the BI-RADS-3 lesions were upgraded at 6-month mammogram (n = 150, 76.1%) followed by 32 (16.2%), 11 (5.6%), and 4 (2.0%) at 12, 18, and 24 month mammograms respectively. Thirty-four of 179 upgraded and biopsied lesions were found to be malignant. From these 27 (79.4%), 3 (8.8%), 3 (8.8%), and 1 (2.9%) lesions were identified at 6, 12, 18, and 24 month mammograms respectively. At the 18-month mammogram 3/7,632 lesions (0.04%) were found to be malignant. The vast majority of malignant lesions (88.2%) were detected within the first 12-months of follow-up. Only three of 179 biopsies (1.7%) were malignant at 18-month follow-up. Based on those results a 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-up protocol for BI-RADS-3 lesions is sufficient.

Challenges in mammography: part 2, multimodality review of breast augmentation--imaging findings and complications.

OBJECTIVE: Breast augmentation is common throughout the world; however, there is variation in materials and surgical techniques. This review illustrates the mammographic, sonographic, and MRI characteristics of the different types of breast augmentation, including silicone, saline, polyacrylamide gel, and autologous fat augmentation. CONCLUSION: The imaging findings of complications such as implant rupture, free silicone, and fat necrosis in association with augmentation will be illustrated.

Breast schwannoma.

Schwannomas arise from Schwann cells of the peripheral nerve sheath. The most common locations include the head, neck, and extensor surfaces of the extremities. Intramammary schwannomas are very rare and account for only 2.6% of schwannomas. A review of the English literature reveals 27 such cases of breast schwannoma. In this paper we describe another such rare case.

What is the clinical importance of echogenic material in the fetal frontal horns?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the importance of echogenic material in the fetal frontal horns. METHODS: This was a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant, Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective study. In part 1 of the study, prenatal sonography, prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and birth outcomes of 17 fetuses (mean gestational age, 19 weeks; range, 15-34 weeks) with prospective echogenic material in the frontal horns were assessed. In part 2, 400 consecutive sonographic fetal surveys (mean gestational age, 19 weeks; range, 15-38 weeks) were reviewed to determine the incidence. In part 3, 2 independent reviewers assessed the appearance of the frontal horns in 40 fetuses (20 with suspected intraventricular hemorrhage from parts 1 and 2 and 20 who were interpreted to have normal findings in part 2). RESULTS: Part 1 of the study showed that suspected hemorrhage was unilateral in 13 fetuses and bilateral in 4. Additional findings by sonography were grade 4 intraventricular hemorrhage (n = 2), ventriculomegaly (n = 2), and porencephaly (n = 1). An additional finding by MRI was porencephaly in 1 fetus. In part 2, echogenic material in the frontal horns was identified in 3 of 400 fetuses (0.8%). In part 3, hemorrhage was probably or definitely present in 11 of the 20 fetuses with abnormalities; material looked like a cyst in 6; and normal choroid was in an abnormal position in 2 and a normal position 1. Of 19 fetuses with abnormalities, 14 had a posteriorly symmetric choroid; 9 had material of different echogenicity compared with the choroid; and 17 had an expanded frontal horn. Birth outcomes were abnormal in 7, including platelet abnormalities (n = 2), hemorrhage on imaging or pathologic examination (n = 2), extraventricular hemorrhage (n = 3), and ventriculomegaly (n = 3). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of echogenic material in the frontal horns is less than 1%. This does not represent the normal location of the choroid plexus and may represent hemorrhage, which may resolve without sequelae or result in ventriculomegaly and porencephaly.

Osteosarcoma of the lumbosacral spine invading the central venous pathways, right-sided cardiac chambers, and pulmonary artery.

We report an unusual case of lumbosacral osteogenic sarcoma with cauda equina syndrome and invasion into the central venous and cardiac system. A 41-year-old Hispanic man presented to the emergency department complaining of severe low back pain, cauda equina syndrome, bilateral lower extremity edema, and an extra heart sound on physical examination. CT of the lumbosacral spine done in the emergency department demonstrated a sclerotic lesion in the sacrum with cortical destruction, extension into the spinal canal and a bulky soft tissue mass containing calcifications. Supplemental MRI demonstrated marrow replacement of L4, L5, and the sacrum, soft tissue extension of the tumor, and invasion iliac veins extending into the IVC; however, the full extent of the intravascular tumor was not seen on this examination. Surgical laminectomy and biopsy of the spinal tumor provided the diagnosis of osteogenic sarcoma. A transthoracic echocardiogram was performed while the patient was recovering due to nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, which showed an echogenic mass within the right atrium and ventricle. CT pulmonary angiogram confirmed the echocardiogram showing a tumor extending through the pulmonary valve into the main pulmonary artery. The patient underwent en bloc resection of the tumor from the venous and cardiac systems. Histologic examination of the tumor confirmed osteogenic sarcoma. While vertebral osteogenic sarcoma is uncommon, invasion of the spinal canal is common in these tumors. However, tumor extending into the central venous and cardiac system is rare. The previously reported cases of central venous and cardiac involvement have been related to distant metastases or primary cardiac osteosarcomas. There is only one other reported case of direct extension into the venous system by an iliac bone osteosarcoma in an adolescent; however, the tumor did not extend into the pulmonary circulation.

Breast problems presenting in the emergency room.

A variety of breast complaints may present in the emergency setting. Therefore, the radiologist in the emergency department must be familiar with the pathology encountered and the associated imaging findings. While mammography is the most commonly and frequently used modality for breast imaging, in the emergency setting, ultrasound may be more readily available and better tolerated by the patient. This pictorial essay describes the spectrum of breast complaints encountered in the acute setting and the associated mammographic and sonographic findings.