A new coaxial needle for pre-operative localization of breast abnormalities.

A new coaxial needle, containing a retractable anchoring wire with a helical tip, has been developed for purposes of mammographic and sonographic localization of non-palpable suspicious breast abnormalities before surgical excision. The helically shaped tip provides the needle with a number of potential advantages over other currently available localization needles. During in vitro comparisons with other needles quantitative and qualitative evidence was obtained to suggest that the new needle can be expected to have improved anchoring capability, be deflected less by tough fibrous tissue interfaces and be more visible sonographically. The anchoring wire can also be retracted and repositioned. Preliminary clinical experience with the needle was consistent with these expectations.

Granular cell tumor of the breast.

Granular cell tumors are rare tumors occasionally located in the breast. They are generally benign, but can mimic breast carcinoma thus complicating diagnosis and treatment. The etiology of these tumors remains obscure, but may be neurogenic in origin. We report a case of granular cell tumor of the breast and present a review of the topic.

Osler-Weber-Rendu disease: MR findings in the liver.

We report the magnetic resonance (MR) findings in the liver of a patient with known Osler-Weber-Rendu disease, a rare disorder characterized by arteriovenous malformations involving multiple organ systems. To the best of our knowledge, the MR findings in liver involvement have not been previously reported.

Breast neoplasms: duplex sonographic imaging as an adjunct in diagnosis.

Sonographic breast imaging has been useful in the differentiation of cystic from solid masses. It has also been helpful in the characterization of palpable breast masses in the absence of corresponding abnormalities. The authors undertook a prospective study that incorporated pulsed Doppler analysis into sonographic real-time imaging of solid breast masses. Thirty-eight patients were examined. In 12 of the patients there were positive Doppler signals, while in 26 patients there were no Doppler signals. The 12 patients showing positive Doppler signals proved to have infiltrating ductal carcinoma, while the 26 patients with negative Doppler signals proved to have benign breast disorders. Pulsed Doppler analysis as a supplement to sonographic real-time imaging shows promise for the identification of breast carcinoma.