Vacuum-assisted biopsies under MR guidance: results of 72 procedures

Clinical Outcomes of Benign Concordant MRI-Guided Breast Biopsies

INTRODUCTION

MRI-guided biopsy is the standard of care for breast imaging findings seen only by MRI. Although a non-zero false-negative rate of MRI-guided breast biopsy has been reported by multiple studies, there are varied practice patterns for imaging follow-up after a benign concordant MRI guided biopsy. This study assessed the outcomes of benign concordant MRI-guided biopsies at a single institution.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This IRB-approved, retrospective study included patients with MRI-guided biopsies of breast lesions from November 1, 2014, to August 31, 2020. Only image-concordant breast lesions with benign histopathology and those follow up with MRI imaging or excision were included in the study.

RESULTS

Out of 275 lesions in 216 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 274 lesions were followed with MRI (range, 5-79 months; average, 25.5 months) and showed benign or stable features upon follow-up. One out of 275 lesions (0.4%), a 6 mm focal nonmass enhancement, was ultimately found to represent malignancy after initial MRI-guided biopsy yielded fibrocystic changes. The lesion was stable at a 6-month follow-up MRI but increased in size at 18 months. Repeat biopsy by ultrasound guidance yielded invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

CONCLUSION

Breast MRI-guided biopsy has a low false-negative rate. Our single malignancy from a total of 275 lesions gives a false negative rate of 0.4%. This data also supports a longer follow-up interval than the commonly performed 6-month follow-up, in order to assess for interval change.

MRI-visualized T2 hyperintense breast lesions: identifying clinical and imaging factors linked to malignant biopsy outcomes

PURPOSE

To determine the malignancy rate for MRI-guided breast biopsies performed for T2 hyperintense breast lesions and to assess additional clinical and MRI characteristics that can predict benign and malignant outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of consecutive MRI-guided breast biopsies performed in two tertiary hospitals was conducted over two years. Biopsies performed for T2 hyperintense lesions were selected, and further lesion imaging characteristics and patient risk factors were collected. Univariate and multivariate modeling regression were used to determine additional imaging and patient factors associated with malignant outcomes for biopsies of T2 hyperintense lesions.

RESULTS

Out of 369 MRI-guided breast biopsies, 100 (27%) were performed for T2 hyperintense lesions. Two biopsy-proven benign lesions were excluded as the patient was lost on follow-up. With a study cohort of 98 lesions, the final pathology results were benign for 80 (80%) of these lesions, while 18 (18%) were malignant. Using multivariate logistic modeling, patient age > 50 (OR 5.99 (1.49, 24.08 95% CI), p < 0.05) and lesion size > 3 cm (OR 5.54 (1.54-18.7), p < 0.01) were found to be important predictors of malignant outcomes for MRI biopsies performed for T2 hyperintense lesions.

CONCLUSION

Our study observed a high malignancy rate, challenging the assumption that T2 hyperintensity can be considered a benign imaging characteristic for otherwise suspicious MRI-detected lesions. Decision-making regarding tissue sampling should be made based on a thorough evaluation of more reliable additional demographic and imaging factors, including patient age and lesion size.

MRI only detected lesions: Can contrast enhanced mammography guided biopsy be an alternative method: Initial clinical findings

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to analyze our initial findings regarding CEM-guided stereotactic vacuum-assisted biopsy for MRI-only detected lesions and compare biopsy times by MRI-guided biopsy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective analysis, CEM-guided biopsies of MRI-only detected breast lesions from December 2021 to June 2023were included. Patient demographics, breast density, lesion size, background parenchymal enhancement on CEM, lesion positioning, procedure duration, and number of scout views were documented. Initially, seven patients had CEM imaging before biopsy; for later cases, CEM scout views were used for simultaneous lesion depiction and targeting.

RESULTS

Two cases were excluded from the initial 28 patients with 29 lesions resulting in a total of 27 lesions in 26 women (mean age:44.96 years). Lesion sizes ranged from 4.5 to 41 mm, with two as masses and the remaining as non-mass enhancements. Histopathological results identified nine malignancies (33.3 %, 9/27), including invasive cancers (55.6 %, 5/9) and DCIS (44.4 %, 4/9). The biopsy PPV rate was 33.3 %. Benign lesions comprised 66.7 %, with 22.2 % high-risk lesions. The biopsy success rate was 93.1 % (27/29), and minor complications occurred in seven cases (25.9 %, 7/27), mainly small hematomas and one vasovagal reaction (3.7 %, 1/27). Median number of scout views required was 2, with no significant differences between cases with or without prior CEM (P = 0.8). Median duration time for biopsy was 14 min, significantly shorter than MRI-guided bx at the same institution (P < 0.001) by 24 min with predominantly upright positioning of the patient (88.9 %) and horizontal approach of the needle (92.6 %).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that CEM-guided biopsy is a feasible and safe alternative method and a faster solution for MRI-only detected enhancing lesions and can be accurately performed without the need for prior CEM imaging.

False-positive incidental lesions detected on contrast-enhanced breast MRI: clinical and imaging features

PURPOSE

To identify demographic and imaging features of MRI-detected enhancing lesions without clinical, ultrasound, and mammographic correlation associated with false-positive outcomes, impacting patient care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective multi-institutional study of imaging studies and patient's chart review of consecutive women with MRI-detected enhancing lesions without clinical, mammogram, or ultrasound correlation between January and December 2018, who underwent MRI-guided biopsy. According to the BI-RADS lexicon, lesions' frequency and imaging features were recorded. The demographic and imaging characteristics variables were correlated with histopathology as the gold standard and an uneventful follow-up of at least one year. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the correlation between the baseline variables such as age, genetic mutation, family history of breast cancer, personal history of breast cancer, MRI indication, background parenchymal enhancement, and MRI characteristic of the lesion with the false-positive results in main data and subgroup analysis.

RESULTS

Two hundred nineteen women (median age 49 years; range 26-85 years) with 219 MRI-detected enhancing lesions that underwent MRI-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy during the study period fulfilled the study criteria and formed the study cohort. Out of 219, 180 lesions (82.2%) yielded benign pathology results, including 137 benign outcomes (76%) and 43 high-risk lesions (24%). Most demographic and imaging characteristics variables did not help to differentiate malignant from benign lesions. The variables that showed statistically significant association with true-positive results in univariate analyses were age (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.02-1.08; p = 0.0015), irregular mass-lesion shape when compared with oval/round mass lesion (OR 11.2; 95% CI 1.6-78.4; p = 0.015), and clumped and clustered ring of enhancement when compared with homogeneous (OR 3.22, 95% CI 1.40-7.40; p = 0.0058). For participants with mass breast lesion, the hyperintense signal on the T2-weighted sequence (compared to the normal fibroglandular signal) was significantly related to the false-positive result (OR 0.13; 95% CI 0.02-0.76; p = 0.024).

CONCLUSION

Young patients, oval/round mass-lesion shape, and homogeneous pattern of non-mass enhancement showed the strongest association with false-positive results of enhancing lesions depicted by MRI. For participants with mass breast lesion, T2-bright mass lesion showed significant association with false-positive result. It may impact the patient's management with a suggestion of follow-up rather than interventional procedure when these demographic and imaging parameters are present, consequently decreasing the patient's anxiety and health care costs.

[MRI-Guided Breast Intervention: Biopsy and Needle Localization]

In Korea, the number of institutions providing breast MRI, as well as the number of breast MRIs, has recently increased. However, MRI-guided procedures, including biopsy and needle localization, are rarely performed compared to ultrasound-guided or stereotactic biopsy. As breast MRI has high sensitivity but limited specificity, lesions detected only on MRI require pathologic confirmation through MRI-guided biopsy or surgical excision with MRI-guided needle localization. Thus, we aimed to review MRI-guided procedures, including their indications, techniques, procedural considerations, and limitations.

Contrast-enhanced mammography-guided biopsy: technical feasibility and first outcomes

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the feasibility of contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM)-guided biopsy at Hospital del Mar, a Spanish university hospital.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive women with a suspicious enhancing finding eligible for CEM-guided biopsy, who were prospectively enrolled in a pre-marketing clinical validation and feasibility study (October 2019 to September 2021). CEM-guided biopsy is a stereotactic-based procedure that, by using intravenous iodinated contrast media administration and dual-energy acquisition, provides localisation of enhancing lesions. All the biopsies were performed using a vacuum-assisted device. We collected procedural characteristics (patient position and type of approach), and histopathological results. Feasibility endpoints included success (visualisation of the enhancing lesion, post-procedural biopsy changes and clip placement), procedural time, number of scout acquisitions and complications.

RESULTS

A total of 66 suspicious enhancing lesions (18.0% foci, 44.0% mass, 38.0% non-mass enhancement; median size 8.5 mm) in 64 patients (median age 59 years, mostly minimal [48.4%] or mild [32.8%] background parenchymal enhancement) were referred for CEM-guided biopsy in the study period. The success rate was 63/66 (95.4%). Amongst successful procedures, patients were most frequently seated (52/63, 82.5%) and the preferred approach was horizontal (48/63, 76.2%). Median total time per procedure was 15 min. Median number of acquisitions needed before targeting was 2 (range 1-4). Complications consisted of hematoma (17/63, 27%) and vasovagal reaction (2/63, 3.2%). At histology, the malignancy rate was 25/63 (39.7%).

CONCLUSION

In this first patient series, CEM-guided breast biopsy was feasible, with success and complication rates similar to those previously reported for magnetic resonance guidance.

KEY POINTS

• CEM may be used to guide biopsy of enhancing lesions through a stereotactic-based procedure combined with intravenous iodinated contrast media administration and dual-energy acquisition. • In this first patient series (n = 64), the success rate of CEM-guided biopsy was above 95%, the only complications were hematoma (22.2%) and vasovagal reaction (3.2%), and median total time per procedure was 15 min. • CEM-guided biopsy is feasible and could potentially be a widely available biopsy technique for enhancing-only lesions.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Breast Biopsy in Korea: A 10-Year Follow-Up Experience

Purpose

To evaluate the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided breast biopsy.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 111 consecutive patients referred for MRI-guided breast biopsy after mammography and breast ultrasound between May 2009 and April 2019. After excluding 37 patients without follow-up images (> 2 years), 74 patients (74 lesions) were finally included. We reviewed the histologic results of MRI-guided biopsy and subsequent surgery, post-biopsy management, and breast cancer development during follow-up. We investigated the false-negative rate, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) underestimation, atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) underestimation rate, and technical failure rate of MRI-guided biopsy.

Results

Among 74 scheduled MRI-guided biopsies, six were canceled because biopsy was deemed unnecessary, while three failed due to technical difficulties (technical failure rate: 3/68, 4.4%). MRI-guided biopsy was performed in 65 patients, of which 18 patients were diagnosed with malignant lesions, 46 with benign lesions, and one with ADH bordering on DCIS. Subsequent surgery (n = 27) showed DCIS underestimation in three cases (3/7, 43%), ADH underestimation in two cases (1/2, 50%), as well as seven concordant benign and 11 concordant malignant lesions. The overall false-negative rate was 4.3% (2/46). Thirty-eight out of 48 benign lesions were followed-up (median period, 5.8 years; interquartile range, 4.1 years) without subsequent surgery. Thirty-seven concordant benign lesions were stable (n = 27) or disappeared (n = 10); however, the size of one discordant benign lesion increased on follow-up MRI and it was diagnosed as DCIS after 1 year.

Conclusion

MRI-guided biopsy is an accurate method for exclusion of malignancy with a very low false-negative rate.

High-risk lesions of the breast: concurrent diagnostic tools and management recommendations

Breast lesions with uncertain malignant behavior, also known as high-risk or B3 lesions, are composed of a variety of pathologies with differing risks of associated malignancy. While open excision was previously preferred to manage all high-risk lesions, tailored management has been increasingly favored to reduce overtreatment and spare patients from unnecessary anxiety or high healthcare costs associated with surgical excision. The purpose of this work is to provide the reader with an accurate overview focused on the main high-risk lesions of the breast: atypical intraductal epithelial proliferation (atypical ductal hyperplasia), lobular neoplasia (including the subcategories lobular carcinoma in situ and atypical lobular hyperplasia), flat epithelial atypia, radial scar and papillary lesions, and phyllodes tumor. Beyond merely presenting the radiological aspects of these lesions and the recent literature, information about their potential upgrade rates is discussed in order to provide a useful guide for appropriate clinical management while avoiding the risks of unnecessary surgical intervention (overtreatment).

Long-term MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy results of 600 single-center procedures

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study is to report on the performance of the MRI-guided VABB in our center and to look at the long-term outcome of biopsies with benign histology over a period of 19 years.

METHODS

In a single-center retrospective review study, data of 600 VABB procedures performed between September 1999 and March 2017 were evaluated. We collected patient demographics, histopathological diagnosis at MRI-VABB, and basic lesion characteristics (size, location). Data from the Belgian Cancer Registry was cross-referenced with our database to find out which patients with benign MRI-VABB results developed a malignant lesion over time.

RESULTS

These 600 VABB procedures were performed in 558 women with a mean patient age of 51.8 years (range 18-82 years). Our technical success rate was 99.3%. We found 27.67% B5 lesions, 9.82% B3 lesions, and 0.17% B4 lesions. Of 362 benign MRI-guided VABBs, follow-up data was available for a mean follow-up period of 7.6 years (0.8-18.3). Only one (0.3%) biopsy was a false negative lesion after MRI-guided VABB during follow-up. Short-term FU-MRI provided no increase in detection rate.

CONCLUSION

The accuracy of MRI-guided VABB is high with a very low false negative rate of 0.3% on long-term follow-up. The value of short-term FU-MRI for every case after MRI-guided VABB may be questioned.

KEY POINTS

• MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsies yield a large portion of clinically relevant lesions (9.82% B3, 0.17% B4, and 27.67% B5 lesions). • The false negative biopsy rate of MRI-guided VABB in this study with a mean follow-up time of 7.6 years was only 0.3%. • Performing a short-term follow-up MRI after a benign MRI-guided VABB concordant to the MRI appearance may be questioned.

MRI-guided breast biopsy based on diffusion-weighted imaging: a feasibility study

Objectives

This study evaluated the feasibility of DWI for lesion targeting in MRI-guided breast biopsies. Furthermore, it assessed device positioning on DWI during biopsy procedures.

Methods

A total of 87 biopsy procedures (5/87 bilateral) consecutively performed between March 2019 and June 2020 were retrospectively reviewed: in these procedures, a preliminary DWI sequence (b = 1300 s/mm²) was acquired to assess lesion detectability. We included 64/87 procedures on lesions detectable at DWI; DWI sequences were added to the standard protocol to localize lesion and biopsy device and to assess the site marker correct positioning.

Results

Mass lesions ranged from 5 to 48 mm, with a mean size of 10.7 mm and a median size of 8 mm. Non-mass lesions ranged from 7 to 90 mm, with a mean size of 33.9 mm and a median size of 31 mm. Positioning of the coaxial system was confirmed on both T1-weighted and DWI sequences. At DWI, the biopsy needle was detectable in 62/64 (96.9%) cases; it was not visible in 2/64 (3.1%) cases. The site marker was always identified using T1-weighted imaging; a final DWI sequence was acquired in 44/64 cases (68.8%). In 42/44 cases (95.5%), the marker was recognizable at DWI.

Conclusions

DWI can be used as a cost-effective, highly reliable technique for targeting both mass and non-mass lesions, with a minimum size of 5 mm, detectable at pre-procedural DWI. DWI is also a feasible technique to localize the biopsy device and to confirm the deployment of the site marker.

Key Points

• MRI-guided breast biopsy is performed in referral centers by an expert dedicated staff, based on prior MR imaging; contrast agent administration is usually needed for lesion targeting.

• DWI represents a feasible, highly reliable technique for lesion targeting, avoiding contrast agent administration.

• DWI allows a precise localization of both biopsy needle device and site marker.

MR imaging-guided vacuum assisted breast biopsy: Radiological-pathological correlation and underestimation rate in pre-surgical assessment

BACKGROUND

Magnetic Resonance(MR) guided percutaneous procedures(MRgVABB) have been developed and largely employed to reduce the need of surgical biopsies for suspicious lesions which can be detected only by MR(MR-only lesion). The present study aims to investigate correlation between imaging, histological features of MRgVABB and surgical specimens of MR-only lesions.

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled 56 patients with a total of 61 lesions. Each finding was defined as Mass-Enhancement(ME) or Non-ME(NME) and classified according to BI-RADS. MRgVABB and surgical data were collected. Concordance between MR, MRgVABB and open biopsy was calculated. Underestimation Rate(UR) of MRgVABB with surgery was obtained.

RESULTS

B2 and B5b lesions were statistically associated with NME and ME, respectively. No statistical association was found to B3 nor to B5a with radiological features. UR was 10 %; underestimated lesions were strongly associated with the presence of a ME on MR imaging. Moreover, B3 lesions are associated with higher UR.

CONCLUSION

Radiological features should influence patient management aiming to construct a correct diagnostic and therapeutic plan. When MR is prescribed for breast cancer staging for ME-MR-only lesions, we suggest surgical open biopsy instead of MRgVABB when upfront surgery is the treatment of choice.

Recent Progress for the Techniques of MRI-Guided Breast Interventions and their applications on Surgical Strategy

With a high sensitivity of breast lesions, MRI can detect suspicious lesions which are occult in traditional breast examination equipment. However, the lower and variable specificity of MRI makes the MRI-guided intervention, including biopsies and localizations, necessary before surgery, especially for patients who need the treatment of breast-conserving surgery (BCS). MRI techniques and patient preparation should be first carefully considered before the intervention to avoid lengthening the procedure time and compromising targeting accuracy. Doctors and radiologists need to reconfirm the target of the lesion and be very familiar with the process approach and equipment techniques involving the computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) tools and the biopsy system and follow a correct way. The basic steps of MRI-guided biopsy and localization are nearly the same regardless of the vendor or platform, and this article systematically introduces detailed methods and techniques of MRI-guided intervention. The two interventions both face different challenging situations during procedures with solutions given in the article. Post-operative statistics show that the complications of MRI-guided intervention are infrequent and mild, and MRI-guided biopsy provides the pathological information for the subsequent surgical decisions and MRI-guided localization fully prepared for follow-up surgical biopsy. New techniques for MRI-guided intervention are also elaborated in the article, which leads to future development. In a word, MRI-guided intervention is a safe, accurate, and effective technique with a low complication rate and successful MRI-guided intervention is truly teamwork with efforts from patients to surgeons, radiologists, MRI technologists, and nurses.

MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy: experience of a single tertiary referral cancer centre and prospects for the future

MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) is used for suspicious breast cancer (BC) lesions which are detectable only with MRI: because the high sensitivity but limited specificity of breast MRI it is a fundamental tool in breast imaging divisions. We analyse our experience of MRI-guided VABB and critically discuss the potentialities of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and artificial intelligence (AI) in this matter. We retrospectively analysed a population of consecutive women underwent VABB at our tertiary referral BC centre from 01/2011 to 01/2019. Reference standard was histological diagnosis or at least 1-year negative follow-up. McNemar, Mann-Whitney and χ² tests at 95% level of significance were used as statistical exams. 217 women (mean age = 52, 18-72 years) underwent MRI-guided VABB; 11 were excluded and 208 MRI-guided VABB lesions were performed: 34/208 invasive carcinomas, 32/208 DCIS, 8/208 LCIS, 3/208 high-risk lesions and 131/208 benign lesions were reported. Accuracy of MRI-guided VABB was 97%. The predictive features for malignancy were mass with irregular shape (OR 8.4; 95% CI 0.59-31.6), size of the lesion (OR 4.4; 95% CI 1.69-9.7) and mass with irregular/spiculated margins (OR 5.4; 95% CI 6.8-31.1). Six-month follow-up showed 4 false-negative cases (1.9%). Invasive BC showed a statistically significant higher hyperintense signal at DWI compared to benign lesions (p = 0.03). No major complications occurred. MR-guided VABB showed high accuracy. Benign-concordant lesions should be followed up with breast MRI in 6-12 months due to the risk of false-negative results. DWI and AI applications showed potential benefit as support tools for radiologists.

High-risk lesions diagnosed at MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy: imaging characteristics, outcome of surgical excision or imaging follow-up

BACKGROUND

To evaluate imaging characteristics, outcome of surgical excision or imaging follow-up on high-risk lesions diagnosed at MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (MRI-VABB).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 598 lesions undergoing 9-gauge MRI-VABB from January 2015 to April 2018 to identify high risk breast lesions. We collected patient demographics, breast MRI BI-RADS descriptors, histopathological diagnosis at MRI-VABB and surgical excision, frequency of upgrade to malignancy and imaging follow-up of high-risk lesions. The x² test and Fisher exact tests were performed for univariate analysis.

RESULTS

114 patients with 124/598 findings (20.7%) had high-risk lesions at MRI-VABB, including atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) (21/124, 16.9%), lobular neoplasia (40/124, 32.3%), radial scar/complex sclerosing lesion (RS/CSL) (13/124, 10.5%), papillary lesions (49/124, 39.5%), and flat epithelial atypia (FEA) (1/124, 0.8%). 84/124 (67.7%) high-risk lesions were excised. 19/84 (22.6%) were upgraded to malignancy (7 invasive cancer, 12 DCIS). The upgrade rate for ADH and lobular neoplasia was 7/18 (38.9%) and 9/31 (29.0%), respectively. The upgrade rate for RS/CSL was 1/10 (10%). Of the 25 papillary lesions excised, 2 (8%) demonstrated pathologic atypia and were upgraded to DCIS. The other 23 papillary lesions had no upgrade or atypia. Excised high-risk lesions showing upgrade varied from 0.4 to 6 cm in length (mean 1.6 cm). There was a non-significant trend (p = 0.054) between larger lesion and upgrade to malignancy; however, there were no other specific imaging features to predict malignancy upgrade.

CONCLUSIONS

There were no specific MRI imaging characteristics of high-risk lesions to predict malignancy upgrade. Therefore, surgical excision is recommended for high-risk lesions, especially ADH or lobular neoplasia.

Heterogeneous risk profiles among B3 breast lesions of uncertain malignant potential

Background:

Most cases of breast lesions of uncertain malignant potential (B3) undergo surgical intervention. We aimed to analyze the outcome of B3 lesion subtypes in a large series of screen-detected cases.

Methods:

We screened 2,986 core needle biopsies to classify B3 lesions. Positive predictive values (PPVs) for malignancy were calculated for a comprehensive risk characterization according to clinicopathologic and morphologic variables.

Results:

B3 lesions comprised 35% atypical ductal hyperplasia (PPV = 20%), 16.7% flat epithelial atypia (PPV = 12%), 22.7% lobular neoplasia (PPV = 16.2%), 9% papillary lesion (PPV = 18.5%), 8.6% phyllodes tumor (PPV = 3.8%), and 8% radial scars (PPV = 4.1%) based on histopathologic diagnosis. Upgrade rates were 15.9% for calcifications, 13.7% for mass lesions, and 16.7% for architectural deformities, with 8.3% of malignant lesions classified as ductal carcinoma in situ and 6.7% as invasive cancers (PPV = 15%).

Conclusion:

B3 lesions entail a heterogeneous risk of malignancy, and careful radiologic–pathologic correlation is required for optimal treatment.

Magnetic resonance imaging-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy: experience and preliminary results of 205 procedures

Objective

To demonstrate the frequency of malignancy and histological characteristics of lesions in patients submitted to vacuum-assisted breast biopsy guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Materials and Methods

This was a retrospective study of MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsies performed between April 2008 and December 2016, in which we analyzed clinical and epidemiological data, as well as the BI-RADS classification and histopathological results. We compared nodules and non-nodular enhancements, in terms of their correlation with malignancy, using chi-square test.

Results

Among 215 cases referred for MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy, the procedure was contraindicated in 10 cases (5%) and was technically feasible in the remaining 205 (95%). Non-nodular enhancements were observed in 135 cases (66%), and nodules were observed in 70 (34%), with a mean diameter of 2.2 cm (range, 0.5-9.6 cm) and 0.97 cm (range, 0.5-2.2 cm), respectively. Of the 205 lesions analyzed, 43 (21%) were malignant, 129 (63%) were benign, and 33 (16%) were classified as high-risk lesions. The most common histological findings were invasive ductal carcinoma and, in high-risk cases, lobular neoplasia. There was no significant difference between nodules and non-nodular enhancements in terms of the rate of malignancy (p = 0.725).

Conclusion

In our sample, the overall malignancy rate was 21%. However, to improve the assessment of these results, it is necessary to correlate them with the surgical data and with data from the follow-up of benign cases.

MRI-guided breast biopsy: a review of technique, indications, and radiological-pathological correlations

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the technique of choice in detection, local staging, and monitoring of breast cancer; however, breast MRI results in the detection of more indeterminate/suspicious lesions that need to be histopathologically proven to guide patient management than any other breast imaging method. If such abnormalities are not detectable in any of the conventional imaging tools (mammography (MMG) or ultrasound) then an MRI-guided biopsy needs to be performed to obtain a diagnosis. Breast MRI-guided biopsy is a time-consuming and complex procedure that requires specific equipment and experienced, well-trained staff. This review article explores and illustrates the indications, the currently available technologies, and the technique of breast MRI-guided biopsy, and explains the importance of careful imaging review and selection of cases. We correlate the radiological-pathological findings and highlight the impact on patient management in a multidisciplinary setting.

Lesion characteristics, histopathologic results, and follow-up of breast lesions after MRI-guided biopsy

PURPOSE

We aimed to assess the effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB), evaluate and compare the characteristics and histopathologic findings of lesions, and overview the follow-up results of benign lesions.

METHODS

MRI findings and histopathologic results of breast lesions biopsied by MRI-guided VABB between 2013 and 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. MRI findings closely related with malignancy were investigated in particular. Follow-up results of benign lesions were evaluated.

RESULTS

MRI-guided VABB was applied to 116 lesions of 112 women. Of the lesions, 75 (65%) were benign, while 41 (35%) were malignant. Segmental (94%), clustered (89%), and clustered ring (67%) non-mass-like enhancement patterns were found to be more related with malignancy. False-negative rate of MRI-guided VABB was 12%, underestimation rate was 21%. One of the 54 followed-up benign lesions had a malignant result.

CONCLUSION

MRI-guided VABB is a reliable method for the diagnosis of breast lesions that are positive only on MRI. Follow-up results show that cancer detection rate is low for radio-pathologically concordant lesions. Further multicenter studies with larger patient population are needed to elucidate these results.

The Positive Outcome of MRI-Guided Vacuum Assisted Core Needle Breast Biopsies Is Not Influenced by a Prior Negative Targeted Second-Look Ultrasound

PURPOSE

The study sought to investigate the outcome of breast magnetic resonance-guided biopsies as a function of the indication for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the MRI features of the lesions, and the performance or not of a targeted second-look ultrasound (SLUS) prior breast MRI-guided biopsy.

METHODS

We identified 158 women with MRI-detected breast lesions scheduled for MRI-guided biopsy (2007-2013). Patient demographics, performance of targeted SLUS, imaging characteristics, and subsequent pathology results were reviewed.

RESULTS

Three biopsies were deferred, and 155 lesions were biopsied under MRI guidance (155 women; median age 55.14 years; range 27-80 years). Ninety-eight women underwent a SLUS prior to the MRI-guided biopsy (63%). Of the 155 biopsied lesions, 23 (15%) were malignant, 106 (68%) were benign, and 26 (17%) were high risk. Four of 15 surgically excised high-risk lesions were upgraded to malignancy (27%). Most of the biopsied lesions corresponded to non-mass-like enhancement (81%, 126 of 155) and most of the biopsies (52%, 81 of 155) were performed in a screening context. No demographic or MRI features were associated with malignancy. No differences were noted between the 2 subgroups (prior SLUS vs no prior SLUS) except for the presence of a synchronous carcinoma associated with a likelihood of targeted SLUS before MRI-guided biopsy (P = .001).

CONCLUSION

A negative SLUS does not influence the pathology outcome of a suspicious lesion biopsied under MR guidance.

Clinical Utility of Real-Time MR-Navigated Ultrasound with Supine Breast MRI for Suspicious Enhancing Lesions Not Identified on Second-Look Ultrasound

This study evaluated the usefulness of magnetic resonance (MR)-navigated ultrasound (US) for evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detected lesions not visible on second-look US and analyzed differences in lesion-to-nipple distance between supine and prone positions. Of the 831 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with breast cancer and examined with breast MRI from June 2013 to September 2015, 40 lesions in 37 patients who underwent MR-navigated US for MRI-detected lesions that were not visible on second-look US were included. First, MRI was performed in a prone position using a 1.5-T imager, and second, MRI was performed in a supine position for MR-navigated US. Of 40 lesions, 31 (78%) were identified with MR-navigated US, whereas 5 (13%) lesions disappeared on supine MRI and 4 (10%) exhibited no correlation on MR-navigated US. Of 31 lesions with pathologic confirmation, 7 (23%) were malignant, 2 (6%) were high-risk lesions and 22 (71%) were benign lesions. Comparison of the US findings of benign and malignant lesions revealed that orientation of the lesion differed significantly (p = 0.045), whereas lesion shape, margin and echo pattern did not significantly differ between the two groups (p = 0.088, p = 0.094 and p = 0.412, respectively). Median difference in lesion-to-nipple distance on supine and prone MRI was 8 mm (0-34 mm) in the horizontal direction and 5 mm (0-39.5 mm) in the vertical direction. Thirteen lesions exhibited a >1-cm difference in both horizontal and vertical directions. In conclusion, MR-navigated US was useful for the evaluation of MRI-detected lesions that were not visible on second-look US in breast cancer patients.

MR-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy of MRI-only lesions: a single center experience

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare three different biopsy devices on false-negative and underestimation rates in MR-guided, vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) of MRI-only lesions.

METHODS

This retrospective, single-center study was IRB-approved. Informed consent was waived. 467 consecutive patients underwent 487 MR-guided VABB using three different 8-10-gauge-VABB devices (Atec-9-gauge,A; Mammotome-8-gauge,M; Vacora-10-gauge,V). VABB data (lesion-type, size, biopsy device, histopathology) were compared to final diagnosis (surgery, n = 210 and follow-up, n = 277). Chi-square, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied. P values < 0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

Final diagnosis was malignant in 104 (21.4 %), high risk in 64 (13.1 %) and benign in 319 (65.5 %) cases. Eleven of 328 (3.4 %) benign-rated lesions were false-negative (1/95, 1.1 %, A; 2/73, 2.7 %, M; 8/160 5.0 % V; P = 0.095). Eleven high-risk (11/77, 14.3 %) lesions proved to be malignant (3/26, 11.5 % A; 4/12, 33.3 % M; 4/39, 10.3 % V; P = 0.228). Five of 34 (14.7 %) DCIS were upgraded to invasive cancer (2/15, 13.3 %, A; 1/6, 16.6 % M; 2/13, 15.3 %, V; P = 0.977). Lesion size (P = 0.05) and type (mass vs. non-mass, P = 0.107) did not differ significantly.

CONCLUSION

MR-guided VABB is an accurate method for diagnosis of MRI-only lesions. No significant differences on false-negative and underestimation rates were observed between three different biopsy devices.

KEY POINTS

• MR-guided VABB is an accurate procedure for the diagnosis of MRI-only lesions. • Similar false-negative and underestimation rates allow all three different MR-guided VABB devices for clinical application. • High-risk lesions should undergo surgery due to a substantial underestimation rate. • Agreement between MR-guided VABB and final diagnosis (benign/malignant) was 95.5% (465/487).

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Guided Vacuum Assisted and Core Needle Biopsies

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study to present the results of Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided cutting needle biopsy procedures of suspicious breast lesions that can be solely detected on Magnetic resonance (MR) examination.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 48 patients with 48 lesions which were solely be observed in breast MRI, indistinguishable in ultrasonography and mammography, for MR guided vacuum-assisted cutting needle biopsy and 42 patients with 42 lesions for MR guided cutting needle biopsy for the lesions of the same nature. MR imaging was performed using a 1.5-Tesla MRI device. Acquired MR images were determined and biopsy protocol was performed using computer-aided diagnosis system on the workstation. Vacuum biopsies were performed using 10 G or 12 G automatic biopsy systems, cutting needle biopsy procedures were performed using fully automated 12 G biopsy needle.

RESULTS

All biopsy procedures were finalized successfully without major complications. The lesions were 54 mass (60%), 28 were non-mass contrast enhancement (31%) and 8 were foci (9%) in the MR examination. Histopathological evaluation revealed 18 malignant (invasive, in-situ ductal carcinoma and lobular carcinoma), 66 benign (apocrine metaplasia, fibrosis, fibroadenomatoid lesion, sclerosing adenosis, fibrocystic disease and mild-to-severe epithelial proliferation) and 6 high-risk (atypical ductal hyperplasia, intraductal papilloma, radial scar) lesions.

CONCLUSION

Magnetic resonance guided vacuum and cutting needle biopsy methods are successful methods fort he evaluation of solely MRI detected suspicious breast lesions. There are several advantages relative to each other in both methods.

Lobular neoplasia detected in MRI-guided core biopsy carries a high risk for upgrade: a study of 63 cases from four different institutions

There are certain criteria to recommend surgical excision for lobular neoplasia diagnosed in mammographically detected core biopsy. The aims of this study are to explore the rate of upgrade of lobular neoplasia detected in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided biopsy and to investigate the clinicopathological and radiological features that could predict upgrade. We reviewed 1655 MRI-guided core biopsies yielding 63 (4%) cases of lobular neoplasia. Key clinical features were recorded. MRI findings including mass vs non-mass enhancement and the reason for biopsy were also recorded. An upgrade was defined as the presence of invasive carcinoma or ductal carcinoma in situ in subsequent surgical excision. The overall rate of lobular neoplasia in MRI-guided core biopsy ranged from 2 to 7%, with an average of 4%. A total of 15 (24%) cases had an upgrade, including 5 cases of invasive carcinoma and 10 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ. Pure lobular neoplasia was identified in 34 cases, 11 (32%) of which had upgrade. In this group, an ipsilateral concurrent or past history of breast cancer was found to be associated with a higher risk of upgrade (6/11, 55%) than contralateral breast cancer (1 of 12, 8%; P=0.03). To our knowledge, this is the largest series of lobular neoplasia diagnosed in MRI-guided core biopsy. The incidence of lobular neoplasia is relatively low. Lobular neoplasia detected in MRI-guided biopsy carries a high risk for upgrade warranting surgical excision. However, more cases from different types of institutions are needed to verify our results.

Breast MR biopsy: Pathological and radiological correlation

PURPOSE

To identify pathological features for sample analysis of magnetic resonance imaging-guided vaccum-assisted breast biopsy (MRIgVaBB) to optimize radio pathological correlation and identify discordant benign result.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Databases of two centres were queried to identify MRIgVaBB performed between January 2009 and February 2013. A cohort of 197 women (mean age: 54.5 years (24-77)) with 208 lesions was identified. We retrospectively analyzed all prebiopsy MRI examinations according to the new BI-RADS lexicon, and all biopsy samples to describe the lesion of interest, its interface with the surrounding breast tissue and other associated features.

RESULTS

The malignancy rate was 26.0 % (54/208) with an underestimation rate of 15.67 % (5/32). A visible interface at pathology between a biopsied lesion and the surrounding breast tissue was more frequently identified in mass enhancement compared to NME or focus (p = 0.0003). Regional NME was correlated with a high degree of fibrosis (p = 0.001) and the presence of PASH (p = 0.0007). Linear or segmental NME was correlated with the presence of periductal mastitis (p = 0.0003).

CONCLUSION

The description of a visible interface between the target lesion and the surrounding tissue is crucial to confirm the correct targeting of an MR mass or a NME.

KEY POINTS

• Pathological interface correlated with magnetic resonance mass and focal non-mass enhancement (NME). • Linear or segmental NME correlated with mastitis or ductal carcinoma in situ. • Fibrosis and pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH) are correlated with regional NME.

The risk of upgrade for atypical ductal hyperplasia detected on magnetic resonance imaging-guided biopsy: a study of 100 cases from four academic institutions

AIMS

To identify variables that can predict upgrade for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detected atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We reviewed 1655 MRI-guided core biopsies between 2005 and 2013, yielding 100 (6%) cases with ADH. The pathological features of ADH and MRI findings were recorded. An upgrade was considered when the subsequent surgical excision yielded invasive carcinoma (IC) or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The rate of ADH between institutions was 3.3-7.1%, with an average of 6%. A total of 15 (15%) cases had upgrade, 12 DCIS and three IC. When all cases were included, only increased number of involved cores was statistically significant (P = 0.02). When cases with concurrent lobular neoplasia (LN) were excluded (n = 14), increased number of ADH foci and increased number of involved cores were statistically significant (P = 0.002, P = 0.009). We analysed the data separately from a single institution (n = 61). Increased number of foci, increased number of total cores and involved cores and larger ADH size predicted upgrade with statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of ADH in MRI-guided core biopsy is rare. The rate of upgrade is comparable to mammographically detected ADH, warranting surgical excision. Similar to mammographically detected lesions, the volume of the ADH predicts the upgrade.

MRI-guided breast biopsy: outcomes and effect on patient management

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to correlate the pathology results of MRI-guided breast biopsies at our institution with MRI findings and patient clinical history characteristics. The effect of MRI-guided breast biopsies on surgical management in patients with a new diagnosis of breast cancer was also assessed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant study we retrospectively reviewed all MRI-guided breast biopsies performed from March 2006 to May 2012. Clinical history, MRI features, and pathology outcomes were reviewed. In patients who underwent breast MRI to evaluate extent of disease, any change in surgical management resulting from the MRI-guided biopsy was recorded. Statistical analysis included binary logistic regression and independent Student t test.

RESULTS

Two-hundred fifteen lesions in 168 patients were included, of which 23 (10.7%) were malignant, 43 (20%) were high-risk, and 149 (69.3%) were benign. No clinical characteristic was associated with malignancy in our cohort. MRI features associated with malignancy were: larger size (mean 2.6 cm vs. 1.3 cm; P = .046), washout kinetics (18% malignancy rate; P = .02), and marked background parenchymal enhancement (40% malignancy rate; P < .001-.03). Nineteen (28%) of the 67 patients with a new diagnosis of breast cancer who underwent MRI-guided breast biopsy had a change in surgical management based on the biopsy result.

CONCLUSION

Malignancy rate was associated with lesion size, washout kinetics, and marked background enhancement of the breast parenchyma but was not associated with any clinical history characteristics. Preoperative MRI-guided breast biopsies changed surgical management in 28% of women with a new diagnosis of breast cancer.

Initial experience with magnetic resonance-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy in korean women with breast cancer

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to describe our initial experience with magnetic resonance (MR)-guided biopsy and to determine the malignancy rate of additional lesions identified by MR only in Korean women with breast cancer.

METHODS

A retrospective review identified 22 consecutive patients with breast cancer who had undergone MR-guided vacuum-assisted biopsies (VAB) of MR-only identified lesions from May 2009 to October 2011.We evaluated the rate of compliance, the technical success for MR-guided VAB and the MR imaging findings of the target lesions. VAB histology was compared with surgical histology and follow-up imaging findings.

RESULTS

The biopsy recommendations for MR-only identified lesions were accepted in 46.8% (22/47) of patients. One of 22 procedures failed due to the target's posterior location. Among 21 MR-guided VAB procedures, the target lesions were considered as a mass in 12 cases and a nonmass enhancement in nine cases. VAB histology revealed malignancies in 14% (3/21) of cases, high-risk lesions in 24% (5/21) and benign lesions in 62% (13/21). Eleven cases (52%, 11/21) had a positive surgical correlation, and one of them was upgraded from atypical ductal hyperplasia to invasive ductal carcinoma. In the remaining 10 lesions, follow-up breast ultrasound and mammography were available (range, 15-44 months; mean, 32.1 months) and did not show suspicious lesions. The final malignancy rate was 19% (4/21).

CONCLUSION

MR-guided VAB for MR-only identified lesions yielded a 19% malignancy rate in Korean women with breast cancer. MR-guided VAB helps surgeons avoid an unnecessary wide excision or additional excisional biopsy.

MRI vacuum-assisted breast biopsies

The indications, technique, results and limitations of MRI vacuum-assisted breast biopsies are discussed from a review of the literature. This was initially a home-grown technique and its development was slowed down by several factors. As a result of major technical advances, it has become a reliable and very consistent procedure with a low rate of underestimation. It is now an undisputed technique when suspicious MRI enhancement is seen with no corresponding mammography or ultrasound features.

Radiopathological correlations: masses, non-masslike enhancements and MRI-guided biopsy

MRI-guided biopsy is a recent interventional breast technique. Validating the procedure poses a new problem because the signal targeted is created by the injection of a paramagnetic contrast agent and is thus transitory. In the first instance, the procedure is validated by the radiologist, who checks that targeting is accurate and inserts a clip at the end of the procedure, and secondly by analysis of the histopathological results, which should be representative of the lesion. The pathologist needs to know the nature of the image, i.e. whether it is of mass or non-masslike enhancement, and its BI-RADS classification. The objective is that the image and the pathological result should concur. If the result is non-specific and benign, a follow-up MRI is required six months later.

MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy: comparison with stereotactically guided and ultrasound-guided techniques

Objectives

To analyse the development of MRI-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) in Switzerland and to compare the procedure with stereotactically guided and ultrasound-guided VAB.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of VABs between 2009 and 2011. A total of 9,113 VABs were performed. Of these, 557 were MRI guided.

Results

MRI-guided VAB showed the highest growth rate (97 %) of all three procedures. The technical success rates for MRI-guided, stereotactically guided and ultrasound-guided VAB were 98.4 % (548/557), 99.1 % (5,904/5,960) and 99.6 % (2,585/2,596), respectively. There were no significant differences (P = 0.12) between the MRI-guided and the stereotactically guided procedures. The technical success rate for ultrasound-guided VAB was significantly higher than that for MRI-guided VAB (P < 0.001). There were no complications using MRI-guided VAB requiring open surgery. The malignancy diagnosis rate for MRI-guided VAB was similar to that for stereotactically guided VAB (P = 0.35).

Conclusion

MRI-guided VAB is a safe and accurate procedure that provides insight into clinical breast findings.

Key points

• Three vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VAB) procedures were compared.

• Technical success rates were high for all three VAB procedures.

• Medical complications were relatively low using all three VAB procedures.

• The use of MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy is growing.

MR-guided stereotactic breast biopsy using a mixed ferromagnetic-nonmagnetic coaxial system with 12- to 18-gauge needles: clinical experience and long-term outcome

PURPOSE

This study investigated the clinical application of a magnetic-resonance (MR)-guided breast biopsy (MRBB) system consisting of a nonmagnetic coaxial needle and a ferromagnetic core biopsy needle.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MRBB was performed on 70 breast lesions. The biopsy device consisted of a nonmagnetic 14- to 16-gauge coaxial needle and a ferromagnetic 16- to 18-gauge biopsy needle.

RESULTS

Of the 70 lesions, 29 were malignant and 41 nonmalignant. All 29 malignant lesions underwent surgery and were confirmed as malignant at final histology. Of the 41 nonmalignant lesions, 35 underwent follow-up breast MR imaging (mean, 26 ± 19 months), which demonstrated no lesions changes; six lesions underwent surgery because of poor radiological-pathological correlation; of these 6 lesions, 3 were nonmalignant, one was borderline (lobular carcinoma in situ) and two were malignant (well-differentiated tubular carcinoma and infiltrating ductal carcinoma). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and diagnostic accuracy were, respectively, 93.5%, 100%, 100%, 95.1% and 97.1% if the lobular carcinoma in situ was considered a nonmalignant histological result, and 90.6%, 100%, 100%, 92.7% and 95.7% if the lobular carcinoma in situ was considered malignant.

CONCLUSIONS

MRBB with a ferromagnetic-nonmagnetic coaxial system represented an easy way to perform a biopsy procedure and was easily applicable in the routine clinical setting.

Radiologic-pathologic correlation at breast MR imaging: what is the appropriate management for high-risk lesions?

Breast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is increasingly performed for a variety of indications, most commonly with the goal of detecting breast cancer. Percutaneous biopsy (usually under MR guidance or ultrasound if there is a correlating finding) is commonly used to evaluate suspicious imaging findings detected on MR imaging with the goal of identifying malignancy. It is important to be familiar with the characteristics and management of high-risk lesions detected or biopsied under MR guidance. This review focuses on the appearance of a variety of breast lesions detected on MR imaging that require excision with focus on pathologic correlation.

MR-guided freehand biopsy of breast lesions in a 1.0-T open MR imager with a near-real-time interactive platform: preliminary experience

PURPOSE

To identify the most appropriate magnetic resonance (MR) sequence for breast biopsy with regard to lesion visibility and artifact size and to assess feasibility and safety of this approach in a clinical setting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MR-guided interventions were performed in an open 1.0-T MR imager between November 2009 and January 2011. The prospective clinical study was approved by the institutional review board. Written informed consent was obtained. Four different fast dynamic sequences (balanced steady-state free precession, T1-weighted turbo gradient-echo, T1-weighted turbo spin-echo [SE], and T2-weighted single-shot SE sequences) were evaluated for artifact size of biopsy needle and in vivo for lesion visibility. In vivo breast biopsies were performed with the freehand technique and without immobilization or a positioning device by using an interactive MR mode that allowed continuous imaging in two orthogonal planes for guidance.

RESULTS

On the basis of good lesion detection in combination with small artifact size, T1-weighted SE imaging was used for biopsy. A total of 75 biopsies were performed successfully in 69 patients (mean age, 53 years; age range, 35-78 years) (mean lesion size, 7.1 mm; range, 4-15 mm). The interactive MR platform enabled immediate localization and correction of intended needle trajectory. Average time for freehand biopsy was 12 minutes (range, 8-23 minutes). No major complications were recorded.

CONCLUSION

MR-guided freehand biopsy of breast lesions with the near-real-time interactive MR platform in an open 1.0-T MR imager is safe and feasible in a clinical setting. The method simplifies work flow and intervention performance.

Outcome analysis of 9-gauge MRI-guided vacuum-assisted core needle breast biopsies

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article is to correlate 9-gauge MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy with surgical histologic findings to determine the upgrade rate and to correlate the frequency of MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy cancer diagnosis with breast MRI indications and enhancement characteristics of targeted lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A database search was performed of all MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsies performed from January 1, 2005, to September 31, 2010. The breast MRI indications, history, age, risk factors, lesion size, enhancement characteristics, and pathologic diagnoses at MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy and at surgery were documented. Fisher exact test and analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 218 lesions underwent MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy in 197 women (mean age, 52 years; range, 28-76 years), of which 85 (39%) had surgical correlation. Of the 218 lesions, 48 (22%) were malignant, 133 (61%) were benign, and 37 (17%) were high risk according to MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy. Ten of 85 lesions (12%) were upgraded to malignancy at surgery, with a final malignancy rate of 25%. The frequency of malignancy was significantly higher in patients presenting for diagnostic (50/177 [28%]) versus screening (4/41 [10%]; p < 0.05) evaluation, patients with ipsilateral cancer (22/49 [45%]; p < 0.001), and lesions with washout kinetics (34/103 [33%]; p < 0.05) and was relatively higher in lesions with nonmasslike enhancement (26/76 [34%]; p = 0.07), which represented ductal carcinoma in situ in the majority of cases (17/26 [65%]; p < 0.005).

CONCLUSION

Patients with ipsilateral cancer who have additional suspicious lesions identified on MRI require careful evaluation and biopsy to exclude additional sites of cancer that may impact surgical management.

Imaging features and management of high-risk lesions on contrast-enhanced dynamic breast MRI

OBJECTIVE

Women at high risk for breast cancer and women with newly diagnosed breast cancer often undergo breast MRI. With the increasing availability of MRI-guided biopsy, high-risk lesions are not infrequently encountered. These high-risk lesions include atypical ductal hyperplasia, lobular carcinoma in situ, atypical lobular hyperplasia, papilloma, radial scar, and flat epithelial cell atypia. The management of these lesions is controversial and is often extended to high-risk lesions detected on mammography and ultrasound, with surgical excision usually recommended. The increasing use of MRI for suspicious lesions necessitates review of the imaging characteristics, frequency, and surgical outcome of high-risk lesions identified at MRI. This article addresses the frequency of high-risk lesions detected on breast MRI according to the current literature and discusses MRI features of high-risk lesions, including morphologic and enhancement kinetic characteristics. The surgical outcome for high-risk lesions identified at MRI-guided biopsy will be discussed. Finally, appropriate management guidelines for high-risk lesions identified on MRI-guided biopsy will be determined.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, no studies to date show definitive and specific characteristics for high-risk lesions. Underestimation of malignancy on MRI-guided biopsy currently warrants surgical management for all high-risk lesions. There is a need for prospective larger power studies.

MRI-guided biopsy and aspiration in the head and neck: evaluation of 77 patients

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of MRI-guided percutaneous biopsy procedures of head and neck lesions using 0.23T open MRI with optical tracking.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 77 patients (51 male, 26 female; mean age, 43 years; range, 11-88 years) who underwent MRI-guided percutaneous biopsy of a head and neck lesion was performed. Mean lesion diameter was 3 cm (range, 1-7.8 cm). Rapid gradient echo sequences were used for image guidance. 23/77 lesions were biopsied after intravenous gadolinium. Tissue sampling techniques included needle aspiration (n = 19) and core needle biopsy (n = 58). Outcome variables included technical success, diagnostic accuracy, procedure time and complications.

RESULTS

In all patients, a sufficient amount of tissue for pathological analysis was obtained. Pathological analysis diagnosed 41 malignant lesions and 36 benign lesions. In 42 cases, surgical correlation was available. In 35 cases, the final diagnosis was confirmed by imaging and clinical follow-up. MR-guided biopsy had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of 93.2%, 100%, 100%, 91.7%, and 96%, respectively. Procedure time was 29 min (range, 15-47 min). No major complications occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

MRI-guided biopsy of head and neck lesions has a high diagnostic performance and is safe in clinical practice.

KEY POINTS

• MRI-guided biopsy helps clinicians to assess patients with head&neck masses. • Differention of malignant and benign lesions is possible with 96% accuracy. • The safety profile of MRI-guided biopsy of head&neck lesions is favorable. • MRI guidance enables accurate biopsy without the use of ionizing radiation.

BI-RADS categorisation of 2,708 consecutive nonpalpable breast lesions in patients referred to a dedicated breast care unit

OBJECTIVES

To determine the malignancy rate of nonpalpable breast lesions, categorised according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification in the setting of a Breast Care Unit.

METHODS

All nonpalpable breast lesions from consecutive patients referred to a dedicated Breast Care Unit were prospectively reviewed and classified into 5 BI-RADS assessment categories (0, 2, 3, 4, and 5).

RESULTS

A total of 2708 lesions were diagnosed by mammography (71.6%), ultrasound (8.7%), mammography and ultrasound (19.5%), or MRI (0.2%). The distribution of the lesions by BI-RADS category was: 152 in category 0 (5.6%), 56 in category 2 (2.1%), 742 in category 3 (27.4%), 1523 in category 4 (56.2%) and 235 in category 5 (8.7%). Histology revealed 570 malignant lesions (32.9%), 152 high-risk lesions (8.8%), and 1010 benign lesions (58.3%). Malignancy was detected in 17 (2.3%) category 3 lesions, 364 (23.9%) category 4 lesions and 185 (78.7%) category 5 lesions. Median follow-up was 36.9 months.

CONCLUSION

This pragmatic study reflects the assessment and management of breast impalpable abnormalities referred for care to a specialized Breast Unit. Multidisciplinary evaluation with BI-RADS classification accurately predicts malignancy, and reflects the quality of management. This assessment should be encouraged in community practice appraisal.

The influence of clinicopathological features on the predictive accuracy of conventional breast imaging in determining the extent of screen-detected high-grade pure ductal carcinoma in situ

INTRODUCTION

The extent of calcified ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) detected by screening mammography is a determinant for treatment with breast conserving surgery (BCS). However, DCIS may be uncalcified and almost a quarter of patients with DCIS treated initially by BCS either require a second operation or are found to have unexpected invasive disease following surgery. Identification of these cases might guide selective implementation of additional diagnostic procedures.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients with a preoperative diagnosis of pure high-grade DCIS at the Southampton and Salisbury Breast Screening Unit over a ten-year period was carried out. Mammograms were reviewed independently by a consultant radiologist and additional factors including the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS(®)) breast density score, DCIS extent and disease location within the breast recorded.

RESULTS

Unexpected invasive disease was found in 35 of 144 patients (24%). Within our unit the re-excision rate for all screen-detected DCIS is currently 23% but for patients included in this study with high-grade DCIS the re-excision rate was 39% (34/87). The extent of DCIS (p=0.008) and lack of expression of the oestrogen receptor (ER) predicted the requirement for re-excision in both univariate (p=0.004) and multivariate analysis (p=0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

High-grade DCIS may be focally uncalcified, leading to underestimation of disease extent, which might be related to ER status. Invasive foci associated with high-grade DCIS are often mammographically occult. Exploration of additional biomarkers and targeted use of further diagnostic techniques may improve the preoperative staging of DCIS.

Breast MR imaging: current indications and advanced imaging techniques

Breast cancer is the most common solid tumor diagnosed in women. In the past decades, great strides have been made in breast cancer screening. While multiple screening trials have shown the benefits of screening mammography, there are limitations to x-ray mammography. Given these inherent limitations, efforts have been made to develop adjunctive imaging techniques, including screening ultrasonography, gamma-specific breast imaging, breast tomosynthesis, dedicated breast computed tomography, and breast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. This article addresses the current indications and advanced imaging applications of breast MR imaging.