TY - JOUR
T1 - Breast microcalcifications studied with 3D contrast-enhanced high-field magnetic resonance imaging
T2 - More accuracy in the diagnosis of breast cancer
AU - Trecate, Giovanna
AU - Tesoro Tess, John David
AU - Vergnaghi, Daniele
AU - Bergonzi, Silvana
AU - De Simone, Tiziana
AU - Mariani, Gabriella
AU - Musumeci, Renato
PY - 2002
Y1 - 2002
N2 - Aims: To evaluate the reliability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed with three-dimensional (3D) sequences in mammographically detected breast microcalcifications. Methods: During an 8-month period, a group of 28 patients with mammographically detected microcalcifications suspicious for malignancy underwent MRI. Their ages ranged from 33 to 65 years. Examinations were performed with a 1.5 Tesla MR unit and a 3D T1 weighted sequence. Images were interpreted on the basis of morphologic parameters and dynamic behavior in the uptake of contrast medium (Gd-DTPA). Histologic findings were considered as the gold reference. Results: Histologic analysis revealed invasive carcinoma in 7 patients, 3 of which were associated with foci of lobular carcinoma in situ. Intraductal carcinoma was diagnosed in 8 patients, 1 of which was associated with a tubular carcinoma. Benign lesions accounted for 13 patients. All the neoplastic conditions showed enhancement on MR images (sensitivity, 100%), whereas early and intense enhancement was noted in 5 of 13 benign lesions (specificity, 61%). The positive predictive value was 75% and negative predictive value, 100%. Conclusions: Although an overlap in the enhancement behavior of malignant and some benign lesions is clearly evident, a careful interpretation of MR images is helpful in detecting and mainly ruling out breast cancer combined with mammographically suspicious microcalcifications.
AB - Aims: To evaluate the reliability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed with three-dimensional (3D) sequences in mammographically detected breast microcalcifications. Methods: During an 8-month period, a group of 28 patients with mammographically detected microcalcifications suspicious for malignancy underwent MRI. Their ages ranged from 33 to 65 years. Examinations were performed with a 1.5 Tesla MR unit and a 3D T1 weighted sequence. Images were interpreted on the basis of morphologic parameters and dynamic behavior in the uptake of contrast medium (Gd-DTPA). Histologic findings were considered as the gold reference. Results: Histologic analysis revealed invasive carcinoma in 7 patients, 3 of which were associated with foci of lobular carcinoma in situ. Intraductal carcinoma was diagnosed in 8 patients, 1 of which was associated with a tubular carcinoma. Benign lesions accounted for 13 patients. All the neoplastic conditions showed enhancement on MR images (sensitivity, 100%), whereas early and intense enhancement was noted in 5 of 13 benign lesions (specificity, 61%). The positive predictive value was 75% and negative predictive value, 100%. Conclusions: Although an overlap in the enhancement behavior of malignant and some benign lesions is clearly evident, a careful interpretation of MR images is helpful in detecting and mainly ruling out breast cancer combined with mammographically suspicious microcalcifications.
KW - Breast neoplasms
KW - Contrast enhancement
KW - Diagnosis
KW - Magnetic resonance
KW - Microcalcifications
KW - Time-intensity dynamic profiles
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M3 - Article
C2 - 12195761
AN - SCOPUS:0036345001
VL - 88
SP - 224
EP - 233
JO - Tumori
JF - Tumori
SN - 0300-8916
IS - 3
ER -