Nipple discharge: The role of imaging.

Nipple discharge is a common symptom in breast medicine. It is usually benign in origin (papillomas and galactophore duct ectasia) although it is essential not to miss the risk of an underlying malignant lesion (5%) mostly due to in situ carcinomas. Clinical examination is essential in the management, distinguishing benign "physiological" discharge from discharge suspected of being "pathological" in which further investigations with mammography and ultrasound are required. When the conventional imaging assessment for pathological nipple discharge is normal, breast MRI is gradually replacing galactography although this is still an emerging and invalidated indication. In this context and if the whole imaging assessment is normal, surgery is no longer the only solution for patients, who can now be offered regular monitoring.

Standardization of selection criteria for percutaneous image-guided cryoablation of recurrent soft-tissue sarcomas.

PURPOSE: Percutaneous image-guided cryoablation has not been validated for local management of recurrence of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of the trunk or limbs. This study aims to identify selection criteria for cryoablation in order to standardize indications of this treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2000 and 2010, 46 patients (57 tumors) presenting local recurrences of STS of the trunk or limbs and treated following standards of care were selected from our institutional database. Eligibility for cryoablation was assessed by two radiologists according to predefined criteria: maximal diameter size of the tumor ≤10cm, distance to skin >5mm, distance to neurovascular structures 3mm at least, absence of articular involvement and planned cryoablation covering the entire lesion volume. Characteristics and outcomes were compared. RESULTS: There was nearly perfect agreement for all criteria (k coefficient ranging from 0.83 to 0.98) between both readers. A subgroup of 13patients was identified as eligible for cryoablation. Locations to the trunk, pelvic girdle or shoulder were significantly more present in the cryoablation group (P=0.002). In this group, tumors were mainly located deeply (P=0.002) with great axes ≤5cm (P=0.044). High local tumor aggressiveness (P=0.016) and differentiated myxoid liposarcoma or myxofibrosarcoma (P=0.007) were more frequent in the eligible group. CONCLUSION: Based on these criteria, two groups of patients with local relapse of STS can be identified. These results may improve the standardization of selection of patients who could be candidates for cryoablation.

Correlation between imaging and prognostic factors: molecular classification of breast cancers.

The new molecular classification of breast cancers defines cancer sub-groups with a distinct prognosis and response to treatment. Studies on the literature deal with the imaging of each tumour sub-type. The radiologist should be familiar with them in order to adapt the care of an aggressive sub-type. In view of the current knowledge, the following have been significantly more often observed: mammographical spiculated mass with echogenic halo in luminal A sub-type; architectural distortion in luminal B sub-type; an irregular mass with indistinct margin comprising microcalcifications, with an abrupt interface in the sonography, or non-sonographic mass in the HER2 sub-type; a very hypoechogenic, lobulated mass with indistinct or microlobulated margin, with an abrupt interface, sometimes pseudo-benign, in the triple-negative sub-type.

Percutaneous image-guided cryoablation in inoperable extra-abdominal desmoid tumors: a study of tolerability and efficacy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the tolerability, effectiveness and outcomes of percutaneous image-guided cryoablation on inoperable extra-abdominal desmoid tumors. METHODS: Between 2011 and 2012, 13 patients (mean age 39.3 years, range 15-74) with inoperable extra-abdominal desmoid tumors were consecutively treated with cryoablation (17 tumors treated in 17 procedures), including two patients with Gardner syndrome and nine recurrences after surgery. Disease-free survival (DFS) and local control based on RECIST criteria were calculated on prospective clinical and imaging follow-up until 2013. RESULTS: Cryoablation was performed under ultrasound (n = 8), computed tomography (n = 1), or combined (n = 8) guidance, and under general (n = 15) or local (n = 2) anesthesia. A major complication was observed in one session (5.8%). Mean follow-up was 11.3 months (6-27 months). Among all the patients treated, eight patients (47%) presented residual tumors on the first magnetic resonance follow-up, which were asymptomatic. The DFS rate was stable at 82.3% (95% confidence interval 0.55-0.94) at 6, 12, and 24 months. The local tumor progression rate was 0% at 6, 12, and 24 months. Two patients (12%) presented an in situ recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Despite high rates of partial ablation, percutaneous image-guided cryoablation appears to be safe and effective for local control for patients with inoperable extra-abdominal desmoid tumors.

Correlation between imaging and molecular classification of breast cancers.

The histological type of tumour according to the WHO: ductal, lobular, rare forms, is correlated with specific aspects of the imaging based on each type. This morphological classification was improved by knowledge of the molecular anomalies of breast cancers, resulting in the definition of cancer sub-groups with distinct prognoses and different responses to treatment: luminal A, luminal B, HER2 positive, basal-like, triple-negative. Studies are beginning to deal with the appearance of each sub-type in the imaging. It is now important for the radiologist to be familiar with them.

Radiologically guided percutaneous cryotherapy for soft tissue tumours: A promising treatment.

Studies of percutaneous cryotherapy in the treatment of benign or malignant soft tissue tumours are rare and mainly involve small populations. Nevertheless, results show cryotherapy's potential in terms of local control of tumours, analgesic efficacy, reduced intra- and postoperative complications, and reduction in the length of convalescence after the procedure. The objective of this update is to set out the short-term prospects for this technique in the treatment of soft tissue tumours, so that it may be more widely offered in these indications.

[Macroglobulinosis cutis revealing Waldenström macroglobulinemia]. / Une maladie de Waldenström révélée par une macroglobulinemia cutis.

Waldenström macroglobulinemia is defined by a bone marrow lymphoplasmacytic infiltration associated with serum IgM monoclonal gammopathy. Specific properties of the IgM gammopathy induce the main clinical manifestations revealing the disease: hyperviscosity syndrome, autoimmune peripheral neuropathy, cryoglobulinemia or hemolysis, and exceptional skin deposit such as macroglobulinosis cutis that we here report. Physicians should be aware of these clinical manifestations to avoid diagnostic delay.

Synthesis and antiviral evaluation of halogenated beta-D- and -L-erythrofuranosylbenzimidazoles.

A series of 2-substituted benzimidazole D- and L-erythrofuranosyl nucleosides were synthesized and tested for activity against herpesviruses and for cytotoxicity. The D-nucleosides 2,5, 6-trichloro-1-(beta-D-erythrofuranosyl)benzimidazole (8a) and 2-bromo-5,6-dichloro-1-(beta-D-erythrofuranosyl)benzimidazole (8b) were prepared by coupling 1,2,3-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-erythrofuranose (D-6) with the appropriate benzimidazole, followed by removal of the acetyl protecting groups. The 2-isopropylamino (9), 2-cyclopropylamino (10), and 2-mercaptobenzyl (11) derivatives were synthesized by nucleophilic displacements of the C-2 chlorine in the benzimidazole moiety of 8a. The D-nucleoside 4-bromo-5, 6-dichloro-2-isopropylamino-1-(beta-D-erythrofuranosyl)benzimid azo le (17) was prepared by coupling D-6 with the appropriate benzimidazole. The L-erythrofuranosyl derivatives, 5, 6-dichloro-2-isopropylamino-1-(beta-L-erythrofuranosyl)benzimid azo le (21a), its 2-cyclopropylamino analogue (21b), and the 2-isopropylamino analogue (25), were prepared by coupling L-6 with the appropriate benzimidazole. Several of these new derivatives had very good activity against HCMV in plaque and yield reduction assays (IC(50) = 0.05-19 microM against the Towne strain of HCMV) and DNA hybridization assays. Very little activity was observed against other herpesviruses. This pattern is similar to the antiviral activity profile observed for the corresponding ribofuranosides 2,5, 6-trichloro-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)benzimidazole (4a), its 2-bromo analogue (4b), and the 2-cyclopropylamino analogue (4c). In comparison, 8a was 15-fold more active against HCMV than 4a, and 8b was 4-fold more active against HCMV than 4b. The 5, 6-dichloro-2-isopropylamino-1-(beta-L-erythrofuranosyl)benzimid azo le (21a) was less active than 4c, which is now in clinical trials for HCMV infection. Both 8a,b had comparable HCMV activity to 4c. Mode of action studies with the D-erythrose analogues established that 8b acted by inhibition of viral DNA processing whereas 9 and 10 may act via a different mechanism. The lack of a 5'-hydroxymethyl group in all members of this series established that antiviral activity occurred without 5'-phosphorylation, a feature required for the activity of most nucleoside analogues.