Comparison of Gadolinium-BOPTA and Ferucarbotran-Enhanced Three-Dimensional T1-Weighted Dynamic Liver Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Same Patient

OBJECTIVES

We sought to compare signal changes using Ferucarbotran and gadobenate dimeglumine (Gd-BOPTA) in dynamic 3D T1-weighted (T1w) GRE imaging of the liver.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty patients were prospectively included in the study. All patients underwent 2 high-field magnetic resonance (MR) examinations: first with Gd-BOPTA (Gd) and then after a mean interval of 4 days with ferucarbotran (Feru). Dynamic MRI was obtained with a 3D T1w GRE sequence (TR 6.33, TE 2.31, flip angle 20 degrees ). Contrast enhanced scans were assessed before intravenous injection of the contrast agent (precontrast), and postcontrast during the arterial phase (30 seconds), portal venous phase (60 seconds), and equilibrium phase (120 seconds). The signal intensities (SIs) of liver, spleen, aorta, and portal vein were defined by region of interest measurements. Signal intensity changes (SICs) and percentage signal intensity change (PSIC) were calculated using the formulas SIC=(SI pre - SI post)/SI pre and PSIC=SIC x 100%.

RESULTS

Positive signal enhancement was observed after intravenous injection of Feru during all dynamic measurements, whereas the mean SI values were lower compared with Gd. During the portal venous phase the mean SI of Gd was up to a factor of 2.1 higher (portal vein). The widest difference of SIC was observed during the equilibrium phase for liver parenchyma (Gd, 1.03; Feru, 0.24). The dynamic signal courses were similar for liver, portal vein and aorta. Different signal courses were obtained for the spleen.

CONCLUSIONS

Feru-enhanced T1w dynamic images demonstrated significant signal increases for liver, vessels, and spleen but overall lower signal intensities than Gd-BOPTA. The dynamic signal courses of ferucarbotran were similar to that of Gd-BOPTA during ll perfusion phases except in the spleen. Thus, it may be possible to detect typical enhancement pattern of focal liver lesions with Feru-enhanced dynamic T1w MRI.

Microcalcifications of the breast: how does radiologic classification correlate with histology?

PURPOSE

To assess the correlation between the pre-biopsy classification of microcalcifications and the underlying histology.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Using the morphology and distribution patterns according to the Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) lexicon, the microcalcifications of 199 lesions in 163 consecutive patients scheduled to undergo 11 G vacuum core biopsy were classified within the BI-RADS categories. The correlation between BI-RADS assessment categories 3, 4, and 5 and the final histological results was statistically evaluated with the chi2 test. The diagnostic indices were calculated.

RESULTS

The prospectively classified BI-RADS 3/4/5 findings revealed a malignant histology in 5.9%/17.6%/90.9% of all lesions, respectively. The relationship between BIRADS categories 3, 4, and 5 and histology was statistically highly significant (P<0.0001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 95.7%/21.2%,/37.8%/94.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The BI-RADS lexicon describes microcalcifications of the breast and provides diagnostic categories that lead to standardized biopsy recommendations. Nevertheless, how to link description to classification of microcalcifications is still a difficult diagnostic task. The evaluation of microcalcifications as proposed in this article may help to set standards in the clinical routine and in the comparability of scientific data.

Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Localization of 131 Breast Lesions With Modified Embolization Coils

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to assess practicability, outcome, and possible advantages of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided localizations with modified embolization coils for exclusively MRI-detected suspicious breast lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed 131 MRI-guided preoperative localizations in 105 patients with exclusively MRI-detected breast lesions. Contrast-enhanced, T1-weighted, 3-dimensional gradient echo sequences were used for imaging. Breast fixation and needle guidance were achieved by a perforated plate. Lesion localization was performed with a modified embolization coil. The distance between coil and lesion was measured. Results of specimen radiography and histopathology were analyzed.

RESULTS

Thirty-four of 131 lesions (26%) were malignant. Lesion localization and excision was successful in all patients. The mean distance between the coil and the lesion was 0.5 mm (+/-1.7 mm standard deviation).

CONCLUSIONS

Exact MRI-guided preoperative localization of exclusively MRI-detected breast lesions by using a modified embolization coil is feasible with excellent precision. Advantages over wire localization procedures are the possibility of specimen x-ray and the independence from time and place of operation.

Comparison of full-field digital mammography and film-screen mammography: image quality and lesion detection

The objective of this study is to compare image quality and lesion detection for full field digital mammography (FFDM) and film-screen mammography (FSM). In 200 women we performed digital mammography of one breast and film-screen mammography of the other breast. Imaging parameters were set automatically. Image quality, visualization of calcifications and masses were rated by three readers independently. Mean glandular dose was calculated for both systems. We found no significant difference in mean glandular dose. Image quality was rated by reader A/B/C as excellent for FFDM in 153/155/167 cases and for FSM in 139/116/114 cases (p<0.03/0.001/0.001). Microcalcifications were detected by FFDM in 103/89/98 and by FSM in 76/76/76 cases (p<0.01/0.06/0.01). Detection of masses did not differ significantly. FFDM provided significantly better visibility of skin and nipple-areola region (p<0.01). FFDM demonstrated improved image quality compared with film-screen mammography. Microcalcification detection was also significantly better with the digital mammography system for two of the three readers.

Klinischer Stellenwert bildgebender Verfahren im ersten Jahr nach brusterhaltender Therapie des Mammakarzinoms

PURPOSE

To compare the accuracy of lesion detection and characterization and to determine the agreement of observers, methods and timing of mammography (MX), ultrasound (US) and MR imaging (MRI) during the first year after breast conserving therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 20 patients diagnosed with breast cancer of stages equal or inferior to T2 N1bi M0 after breast conserving therapy and subsequent radiotherapy. Patients with any history of breast diseases in the affected or contralateral breast were excluded. Patients were examined before and at 3, 6 and 12 months after adjuvant radiotherapy with MX, US and dynamic MR mammography. Additional US and MRI were performed 3 months after radiotherapy. All 220 examinations were retrospectively read in a randomized order by two independent readers, blinded for the results of the other examinations. The outcome after 2.5 years of follow-up was used as gold standard. Histological examination was available in one case. Lesion detection and specificity were assessed including kappa values for different reliabilities between observers, timing and methods. The kappa values were used to characterize the degree of agreement as follows: > 0.8 very good; 0.6 - 0.8 good; 0.4 - 0.6 fair; 0.2 - 0.4 minimal; and < 0.2 negligible.

RESULTS

Based on the interpretation of all available findings (clinical examination, MX, US, MRT and histology in one case), 20 patients observed for a mean period of 2.5 years had no evidence of intramammary recurrence. Therefore the sensitivity of the various methods could not be assessed. The reading of certainly no lesion was given by MRI in 43 %, by MX in 30 % and by US in 5 % of all examinations (p < 0.05). True negative findings were observed by MRI in 94.4 %, by MX in 90.4 % and by US in 82.5 %. Reliability between observers, timing and imaging methods was 0.496, 0.411, and 0.215 for lesion detection and 0.303, 0.282, and 0.030 for lesion characterization.

CONCLUSION

Within the first year after breast conserving therapy, MRI was the most confident method for the exclusion of lesions and presented the highest true negative rate. The assessment of dignity of a particular lesion was difficult by all imaging methods, reflected by the weak agreement between observers, methods and timing. The difference between times of readings were marginal in the first year after therapy. Agreement between the different diagnostics methods was minimal to negligible.

Takayasu's arteritis secondary to myelodysplasia as a predictor of poor outcome: two case reports

We present two patients with myelodysplasia in association with Takayasu's arteritis (TA). In both patients intensive immunosuppressive treatment could not control the vascular inflammation. Subsequently both patients developed myelodysplasia, rapidly progressing to secondary acute myelogenous leukaemia. One patient had a peripheral blood stem cell transplant from a compatible sibling donor, but died of refractory leukaemia 5 months later. The other patient died of fungal sepsis. These are the first two patients reported to have TA associated with myelodysplasia/secondary leukaemia.

[Radiologic-histopathologic correlation of microcalcifications from 11g vacuum biopsy: analysis of 3196 core biopsies]

PURPOSE

To perform a statistical evaluation of microcalcifications (MC) from suspicious breast lesions detected by radiography and histopathology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Histological and radiological detection of calcifications were compared from 116 biopsies in 96 women. Lesions with identical description of calcifications detected in histopathology and radiography were considered concordant, patients with obvious discrepancies discordant. If histological and radiological groups of calcifications were identical in number but differed in location, the case was considered pseudo-concordant.

RESULTS

Histopathology classified 24 of 116 lesions as malignant and 92 as benign. A total of 3196 core biopsies were examined, 851 of these contained groups of calcifications or single calcifications. Both modalities detected 579 calcifications, with 169 exclusively detected by radiography and 103 exclusively by histopathology. In 35 cases (30 %) radiologic and pathologic results were concordant, in 6 cases pseudo-concordant (4 %) and in 75 cases (65 %) discordant. The case-based Kappa coefficient was - 0.09 (- 0.24 to 0.07). The 122 calcifications not detected by histopathology were few or single calcifications at the edge of the core that were probably lost during processing, 18 were possible artefacts. Six cores contained calcium oxalate, 3 contained milk of calcium. In 6 cases malignant disease was found after the first examination, hence the cores were not searched thoroughly for the missing calcifications. In the remaining 14 cases, no calcifications were found despite complete processing of the tissue. In 49 of 103 cases of radiologically undetected microcalcifications, the retrospect analysis showed dense tissue areas that probably contained the calcification. The remaining 54 cases contained calcifications, which were too small to be detected radiologically.

SUMMARY

Discordant results from pathological and radiological examinations of biopsies can mainly be explained by calcifications at the edge of the specimen lost during processing, which are therefore not detected in histopathology, and calcifications too small to be visualized radiologically.

Extensive peritoneal and omental lymphomatosis with raised CA 125 mimicking carcinomatosis: CT and intraoperative findings

Diffuse peritoneal and omental seeding are well-known forms of dissemination of metastatic carcinoma. A wide variety of primary neoplasms may cause peritoneal and omental carcinomatosis, most commonly carcinomas of the ovary, gastrointestinal tract and breast. Extensive involvement of the peritoneal cavity with lymphoma is, however, rare. The association of peritoneal lymphoma with a raised CA 125, a tumour marker which is commonly raised in ovarian carcinoma, is a highly challenging clinical situation, which to our knowledge has not been published before in the medical literature. Not being aware of the possibility of this unusual combination of clinical, laboratory and imaging findings can lead to an erroneous diagnosis, as in our case.

Gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced MRI of the breast: analysis of dose response and comparison with gadopentetate dimeglumine

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and dose response relationship of three doses of gadobenate dimeglumine for MRI of the breast and to compare the results with those obtained after a dose of 0.1 mmol/kg of body weight of gadopentetate dimeglumine. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Gadobenate dimeglumine at 0.05, 0.1, or 0.2 mmol/kg of body weight or gadopentetate dimeglumine at 0.1 mmol/kg of body weight was administered by IV bolus injection to 189 patients with known or suspected breast cancer. Coronal three-dimensional T1-weighted gradient-echo images were acquired before and at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 min after the administration of the dose. Images were evaluated for lesion presence, location, size, morphology, enhancement pattern, conspicuity, and type. Lesion signal intensity-time curves were acquired, and lesion matching with on-site final diagnosis was performed. A determination of global lesion detection from unenhanced to contrast-enhanced and combined images was performed, and evaluations were made of the diagnostic accuracy for lesion detection and characterization. A full safety evaluation was conducted.

RESULTS

Significant dose-related increases in global lesion detection were noted for patients who received gadobenate dimeglumine (p < 0.04, all evaluations). The sensitivity for detection was comparable for 0.1 and 0.2 mmol/kg of gadobenate dimeglumine, and specificity was highest with the 0.1 mmol/kg dose. Higher detection scores and higher sensitivity values for lesion characterization were found for 0.1 mmol/kg of gadobenate dimeglumine compared with 0.1 mmol/kg of gadopentetate dimeglumine, although more variable specificity values were obtained. No differences in safety were observed, and no serious adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSION

Gadobenate dimeglumine is a capable diagnostic agent for MRI of the breast. Although preliminary, our results suggest that 0.1 mmol/kg of gadobenate dimeglumine may offer advantages over doses of 0.05 and 0.2 mmol/kg of gadobenate dimeglumine and 0.1 mmol/kg of gadopentetate dimeglumine for breast lesion detection and characterization.

[Stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy--success, histologic accuracy, patient acceptance and optimizing the BI-RADSTM-correlated indication]

PURPOSE

To evaluate success, histologic accuracy, patient acceptance and BI-RADS TM-correlated malignancy rate of stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsies in order to optimize the indication.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 132 patients with mammographically detected breast lesions 166 stereotactic vacuum- assisted 11 gauge core biopsies were performed. All lesions were classified according to the BI-RADS TM categories of the ACR. Removal of the lesion was radiographically assessed as complete, representative or not representative. Patient acceptance was evaluated.

RESULTS

Of the 166 lesions, 54 (32.5 %) lesions were judged completely removed, 110 (66.3 %) representatively removed and 2 (1.2 %) not representatively removed. Malignancy was found in 38 (22.9 %) lesions. The rate of malignancy increased from 6.3 % (2/32) for BI-RADS TM category 3 to 16.7 % (19/114) for BI-RADS TM category 4 and increased further to 85 % (17/20) for BI-RADS TM category 5 (p < 0.001). The histology of a sufficient vacuum-assisted biopsy was underestimated in 6 (15 %) of the 40 lesions that were subsequently excised surgically. Most patients (98.5 %; 130/132) stated they would undergo a vacuum-assisted biopsy again.

CONCLUSION

Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy is accurate, has a justifiable rate of histologic underestimation and is well accepted by patients. Patients with BI-RADS TM category 4 microcalcification benefit the most. Lesions of BI-RADS TM category 3 and BI-RADS TM category 5 should be biopsied only under special circumstances (family risk of breast cancer; assessment of lesions extension).