Apparent diffusion coefficient values in borderline breast lesions upgraded and not upgraded at definitive histopathological examination after surgical excision.

PURPOSE: The study aims were to evaluate if the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value could distinguish between breast lesions classified as B3 at core needle biopsy (CNB) that show or do not show atypia or malignancy at definitive histopathological examination (DHE) after surgical excision. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2013 to December 2017, 141 patients with a B3 breast lesion underwent magnetic resonance imaging and were included in the study. The ADC value was assessed drawing a ROI outlining the entire lesion, evaluating the mean (ADCmean) and minimum ADC values (ADCmin). RESULTS: Both ADCmean and ADCmin values showed a statistically significant difference between B3 lesions without and with malignancy or, for B3a lesions, atypia at DHE. They both showed a statistically significant difference also between B3a lesions without or with atypia or malignancy at DHE, but only ADCmin (not ADCmean) showed statistically significant difference between B3b lesions without or with malignancy at DHE. CONCLUSIONS: The ADC value could help distinguish between B3a lesions without or with atypia/malignancy at DHE after surgical excision and between B3b lesions without or with malignancy at DHE. Therefore, it could be used to help guide the diagnostic-therapeutic pathway of these lesions, particularly of B3a lesions.

Apparent diffusion coefficient value in breast papillary lesions without atypia at core needle biopsy.

PURPOSE: The main aim of the study was to assess if the mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value was significantly different between papillary lesions (PL) without atypia and PLs with atypical or malignant foci. A secondary objective was to evaluate if patients mean age, MRI BI-RADS® descriptors and assessment category were significantly different between these two PL groups. METHODS: In this eight year retrospective study were included 122 patients (mean age, 51 years; range, 24-78) with 122 PLs without atypia at micro-histological examination after core needle biopsy (CNB) performed under sonographic guidance. All patients underwent surgical excision biopsy within 3 months after CNB. All patients underwent MRI examination before surgical excision, including STIR, DWI and Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced sequences. RESULTS: Mean ADC value difference between PLs without and with atypia or malignant foci was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Mean ADC value optimal threshold in order to distinguish the two groups was 1.418 × 10-3 mm2/s. A mean ADC value ≤ 1.418 × 10-3 mm2/s could predict atypical or malignant foci within a PL with 83.9% sensitivity and 75.8% specificity. No statistically significant difference was found with regard to patients mean age, MRI BI-RADS® descriptors and assessment category between these two PL groups. CONCLUSIONS: Mean ADC value of PLs without atypia at CNB is an efficient tool in order to help distinguish between PLs without and with atypical or malignant foci at final pathology on surgical excision, and it could be used to help decide how to manage these lesions.

Morphological MR features and quantitative ADC evaluation in invasive breast cancer: Correlation with prognostic factors.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the correlation between MRI characteristics of invasive breast cancer and tumor prognostic features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 95 women with invasive breast cancer underwent pre-treatment MR. Morphological findings and quantitative ADC were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Smaller size, round shape, spiculated margins and homogeneous internal enhancement pattern on dynamic MRI were independently associated with established predictors of good prognosis, while larger size and rim enhancement pattern were related to predictors of poor prognosis. A positive correlation was observed between ADC value and clinical stage. CONCLUSIONS: MRI may be a useful tool for breast cancer aggressiveness prediction and for guiding subsequent clinical-therapeutic management.