Correlation of sonographic features of invasive ductal mammary carcinoma with age, tumor grade, and hormone-receptor status.

PURPOSE: To determine whether presenting sonographic features of invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC) are associated with patient age, tumor histologic grade, and hormonal receptor status. METHODS: Sonographic features of 101 consecutive cases of IDC seen at ultrasound were retrospectively assessed based on the BI-RADS criteria of posterior acoustic appearance, tumor margins, and echogenicity. Associations between sonographic features and tumor characteristics were statistically evaluated with attention to patient age. RESULTS: IDC with shadowing compared with unchanged posterior acoustic appearance were significantly more likely to be of low histologic grade (Odds Ratio [OR] = 5.00; p < 0.05) and estrogen receptor (ER) -positive (OR = 10.00; p < 0.05). Conversely, posterior enhancement was associated with ER-negative status (OR = 4.45; p < 0.01), particularly among patients younger than 60 years of age (OR = 5.36, p < 0.05). Circumscribed tumors were more often high grade, particularly among older women (p < 0.01), and hormone receptor--negative regardless of age group. Among older women, tumors with mixed echogenicity tended to be high grade and progesterone receptor--negative (p values < 0.05). Noncircumscribed borders were observed for all tumors with posterior shadowing, and 97% of such tumors were also ER positive. CONCLUSIONS: Sonographic features were significantly associated with tumor grade and hormone receptor status, with some differences based on patient age. Specifically, the presence of posterior shadowing was associated with lower histologic grade and ER-positive status, especially in older patients. In contrast, we found that posterior acoustic enhancement was more commonly associated with ER-negative status, especially in younger patients.

Rare breast lesions: correlation of imaging and histologic features with WHO classification.

Mammographers occasionally are surprised by the diagnosis of a rare lesion at breast biopsy. The imaging features of some breast lesions are unfamiliar because they are rarely seen in routine mammographic practice and they are not well described or well documented in the radiologic literature. Moreover, there may be wide variation in the appearances of rare breast lesions at mammography and ultrasonography (US). In addition, although a few rare breast lesions have a typical imaging appearance, most have mammographic and US features similar to those of breast carcinomas, and a needle biopsy is almost always necessary to obtain a diagnosis. However, even when a rare breast lesion is diagnosed on the basis of a needle biopsy, knowledge of the imaging features of such lesions may help the radiologist decide whether the results of pathologic analysis concur with the imaging findings and whether surgical excision is necessary. It is therefore important that radiologists be familiar with the broad spectrum of imaging features of rare breast lesions as well as with the correlation between their histopathologic features and their current classification according to the World Health Organization classification system.

Characterization of sonographic and mammographic features of granular cell tumors of the breast and estimation of their incidence.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this series was to review the spectrum of sonographic and mammographic features of granular cell tumors (GCTs) of the breast and to compare their frequency relative to breast carcinoma. METHODS: Ten cases of a breast GCT diagnosed during the last 13 years were analyzed for the imaging characteristics and clinical features. Sonographic images were reviewed for location, size, echogenicity, margins, height-width ratio, and sound transmission. Mammograms were reviewed for tumor size, location, margin characteristics, spiculations, and calcifications. The frequency of GCTs was compared with that of breast carcinoma during the same study period. RESULTS: Of 10 GCT cases, 9 tumors occurred in female patients, and 1 occurred in a male patient. The mean patient age was 51.8 years, and the mean lesion size was 1.57 cm. All 7 tumors visualized on sonography were hypoechoic masses. Posterior enhancement was noted in 3 of 7 cases, and posterior shadowing was noted in 2 of 7 cases. Two of 7 did not show any posterior enhancement or shadowing. Two of 7 masses were taller than wide. Of 8 tumors visualized on mammography, 5 were spiculated, and 3 were well circumscribed. Calcifications were not visualized in any tumor. During the same period, 1482 cases of breast carcinoma were diagnosed, making the frequency of GCTs of the breast about 6.7 per thousand breast carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS: Granular cell tumors of the breast are rare neoplasms with a relative frequency of 6.7 per thousand breast carcinomas in our series, which was higher than reported in literature. Spiculations are a common imaging feature and mimic carcinoma when present.

Mammographic surveillance after MammoSite breast brachytherapy: analysis of architectural patterns and additional interventions.

PURPOSE: To report the post-treatment mammographic findings of patients who received MammoSite brachytherapy at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 126 mammograms from a cohort of 38 patients who underwent MammoSite breast brachytherapy and post-treatment mammographic follow-up exclusively at MUSC are the subject of this analysis. Surveillance mammography commenced at 6 months after completion of brachytherapy and was repeated every 6 to 12 months thereafter, depending on Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification and further testing recommendations. Patients were clinically assessed at least every 3 months and all available data were reviewed for documentation of mammographic findings and subsequent interventions. The minimum and median follow-up was 6 and 28 months, respectively. RESULTS: Of the 126 mammograms analyzed, 22 (17%) were classified as BI-RADS category 2, 93 (74%) as category 3, 10 (8%) as category 4, and 1 (0.8%) as category 5. Further descriptions of the BI-RADS 3 studies were: 61 (65%) "surgical changes," 30 (32%) seromas, and 2 (2%) dystrophic calcifications. Additional interventions followed 10 (11%) of BI-RADS 3 studies, all revealing benign findings. All BI-RADS 4 or 5 studies led to needle aspiration (3) or breast biopsy (8). Two biopsies were positive for malignancy, and both were classified as elsewhere breast failures. CONCLUSION: Mammographic architectural patterns observed after partial breast irradiation and potential differences with respect to those traditionally seen following whole breast radiotherapy have yet to be well characterized. Our experience may be of clinical utility in the counseling of patients until data from randomized trials becomes available.

Soft-tissue tumors: value of static and dynamic gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced MR imaging in prediction of malignancy.

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate static and dynamic gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging relative to nonenhanced MR imaging in differentiation of benign from malignant soft-tissue lesions and to evaluate which MR imaging parameters are most predictive of malignancy, with associated interobserver variability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred forty consecutive patients (78 male patients [median age, 51 years], 62 female patients [median age, 53 years]) with a soft-tissue mass underwent nonenhanced static and dynamic contrast material-enhanced MR imaging. Diagnosis was based on histologic findings in surgical specimens (86 of 140), findings at core-needle biopsy (43 of 140), or results of all imaging procedures with clinical follow-up (11 of 140). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the best combination of MR imaging parameters that might be predictive of malignancy. Subjective overall performance of two observers was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: For subjective overall diagnosis, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, a measure for diagnostic accuracy, was significantly larger for combined nonenhanced and contrast-enhanced MR imaging than it was for nonenhanced MR imaging alone, with no significant difference between observers. Multivariate analysis of all lesions revealed that combined nonenhanced static and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging parameters were significantly superior to nonenhanced MR imaging parameters alone and to nonenhanced MR imaging parameters combined with static contrast-enhanced MR imaging parameters in prediction of malignancy. The most discriminating parameters were presence of liquefaction, start of dynamic enhancement (time interval between start of arterial and tumor enhancement), and lesion size (diameter). Results for extremity lesions were the same, with one exception: With dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging parameters, diagnostic performance of one observer did not improve. CONCLUSION: Static and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging, when added to nonenhanced MR imaging, improved differentiation between benign and malignant soft-tissue lesions.

From the archives of the AFIP: benign musculoskeletal lipomatous lesions.

Benign lipomatous lesions involving soft tissue are common musculoskeletal masses that are classified into nine distinct diagnoses: lipoma, lipomatosis, lipomatosis of nerve, lipoblastoma or lipoblastomatosis, angiolipoma, myolipoma of soft tissue, chondroid lipoma, spindle cell lipoma and pleomorphic lipoma, and hibernoma. Soft-tissue lipoma accounts for almost 50% of all soft-tissue tumors. Radiologic evaluation is diagnostic in up to 71% of cases. These lesions are identical to subcutaneous fat on computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images and may contain thin septa. Lipomatosis represents a diffuse overgrowth of mature fat affecting either subcutaneous tissue, muscle or nerve, and imaging is needed to evaluate lesion extent. Lipoblastoma is a tumor of immature fat occurring in young children, and imaging features may reveal a mixture of fat and nonadipose tissue. Angiolipoma, myolipoma, and chondroid lipoma are rare lipomatous lesions that are infrequently imaged. Spindle cell and pleomorphic lipoma appear as a subcutaneous lipomatous mass in the posterior neck or shoulder, with frequent nonadipose components. Hibernoma appears as a lipomatous mass with serpentine vascular elements. Benign lipomatous lesions affecting bone, joint, or tendon sheath include intraosseous lipoma, parosteal lipoma, liposclerosing myxofibrous tumor, discrete lipoma of joint or tendon sheath, and lipoma arborescens. Intraosseous and parosteal lipoma have a pathognomonic CT or MR appearance, with fat in the marrow space or on the bone surface, respectively. Liposclerosing myxofibrous tumor is a rare intermixed histologic lesion commonly located in the medullary canal of the intertrochanteric femur. Benign lipomatous lesions may occur focally in a joint or tendon sheath or with diffuse villonodular proliferation in the synovium (lipoma arborescens) and are diagnosed based on location and identification of fat. Understanding the spectrum of appearances of the various benign musculoskeletal lipomatous lesions improves radiologic assessment and is vital for optimal patient management.

The positive predictive value of the breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) as a method of quality assessment in breast imaging in a hospital population.

Evaluation of the diagnostic performance of mammography and US in our hospital, based upon the positive predictive value (PPV) for breast cancer of the breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) final assessment categories, has been performed. A follow-up study of 2,762 mammograms was performed, along with 955 diagnostic exams and 1,807 screening exams. Additional US was performed in 655 patients (23.7%). The combined reports were assigned a BI-RADS category. Follow-up was obtained by pathologic examination, mammography at 12 months or from PALGA, a nationwide network and registry of histo- and cytopathology. Overall sensitivity was 85% (specificity 98.7%); sensitivity of the diagnostic examinations was 92.9% (specificity 97.7%) and of the screening examinations 69.2% (specificity 99.2%). The PPV of BI-RADS 1 was 5 of 1,542 (0.3%), and of BI-RADS 2, it was 6 of 935 (0.6%). BI-RADS 3 was 6 of 154 (3.9%), BI-RADS 4 was 39 of 74 (52.7%) and BI-RADS 5 was 57 of 57 (100%). The difference between BI-RADS 1 and 2 vs. BI-RADS 3 was statistically significant (P<0.01). Analysis of BI-RADS 3 cases revealed inconsistencies in its assignment. Evaluation of the BI-RADS final assessment categories enables a valid analysis of the diagnostic performance of mammography and US and reveals tools to improve future outcomes.

Gout: a clinical and radiologic review.

Gout is a group of diseases characterized by arthritis and results from a disturbance of urate metabolism with the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in the joints and soft tissues. Often, but not invariably, the serum urate levels are elevated as a result of overproduction or underexcretion of uric acid. Clinical manifestations include acute and chronic arthritis, tophaceous deposits, interstitial renal disease, and uric acid nephrolithiasis. The diagnosis is based on the identification of uric acid crystals in joints, tissues, or body fluids. Acute episodes are treated with colchicine, NSAIDs, or steroids. Long-term management includes treatment with uricosuric agents or xanthine oxidase inhibitors.

FDG-PET uptake in occult acute pelvic fracture.

The role of FDG-PET in the diagnosis of bone metastases remains unsettled, although it is hoped that PET scans will add specificity to or replace bone scintigraphy. We report a case in which an acute traumatic fracture presented with a level of uptake generally considered indicative of neoplasm. It is important to recognize that increased FDG-PET activity in bone should not be accepted as definitive evidence of metastatic disease.

Musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging: importance of radiography.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of radiography for interpretation of musculoskeletal (MSK) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. DESIGNS AND PATIENTS: In a 1-year period, 1,030 MSK MRI studies were performed in 1,002 patients in our institution. For each study, the interpreting radiologist completed a questionnaire regarding the availability and utility of radiographs, radiological reports and clinical information for the interpretation of the MRI study. RESULTS: Radiographs were essential, very important or added information in 61-75% of all MSK MRI cases. Radiographs were judged as essential for reading of MRI studies more often for trauma, infection/inflammation and tumors than for degenerative and miscellaneous/normal diagnoses (chi(2)=60.95, df=16, P<0.0001). The clinical information was rated as "essential" or "useful" significantly more often than not (chi(2)=93.07, df=16, P<0.0001). The clinical and MRI diagnoses were the same or partially concordant significantly more often for tumors than for trauma, infection/inflammation and degenerative conditions, while in the miscellaneous/normal group they were different in 64% of cases. When the diagnoses were different, there were more instances in which radiographs were not available. CONCLUSIONS: Radiographs are an important, and sometimes essential, initial complementary study for reading of MSK MRI examinations. It is highly recommended that radiographs are available when MSK MRI studies are interpreted.