The Problem of Mammographic Breast Density - The Position of the DEGUM Working Group on Breast Ultrasound

Mammographic breast density correlates with breast cancer risk and also with the number of false-negative calls. In the USA these facts lead to the "Breast Density and Mammography Reporting Act" of 2011. In the case of mammographically dense breasts, the Working Group on Breast Ultrasound in Germany recommends explaining the advantages of adjunct imaging to women, depending on the individual breast cancer risk. Due to the particular structure of German healthcare, quality-assured breast ultrasound would be the first choice. Possible overdiagnosis, costs, potentially increased emotional stress should be addressed. In high familial breast cancer risk, genetic counselling and an intensified early detection program should be performed.

[Evaluation of the nationwide DEGUM breast ultrasound training program]

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality standard of the nationwide breast ultrasound training program of the German Society of Ultrasound in Medicine (DEGUM) through objective parameters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

10 quality criteria, based on the recommendations of The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV), were defined for this study. All training units of the DEGUM received a questionnaire. The questionnaires and training material were analyzed.

RESULTS

All units met the required criteria pertaining to the trainer's qualification, duration per training course and the maximum number of participants per ultrasound machine. Only 1 course did not fulfill the required 50 % practical training time. The requirements to participate in the graduate course (200 self-made and documented cases) were not clearly conceived and a defined training log could be improved.

CONCLUSION

DEGUM breast ultrasound training offers trainees a high level of education based on the requirements of the KBV. Despite the high quality of training, the content of course announcements could be improved and an official and structured educational index could be meaningful.

Interdisciplinary consensus recommendations for the use of vacuum-assisted breast biopsy under sonographic guidance: first update 2012

PURPOSE

The vacuum biopsy of the breast under sonographic guidance (VB) was introduced in Germany in the year 2000 and the first consensus recommendations were published by Krainick-Strobel et al. in 2005. Since then, many clinical studies on this technique have been published. The purpose of this publication is to update the consensus recommendations from 2005 regarding the latest literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The consensus statements were the result of two preliminary meetings after the review of the latest literature by members of the Minimally Invasive Breast Intervention Study Group from the German Society of Senology. The final consensus text was review by all members of the working group. The statements listed under results obtained complete acceptance (consensus 100 %).

RESULTS

The consensus recommendations describe the indications, investigator qualifications, technical requirements, documentation, quality assurance and follow-up intervals regarding the latest literature.

CONCLUSION

The VB is a safe method for extracting breast tissue for histological workup. The technique allows the resection of breast tissue up to 8 cm3. Besides the diagnostic indications, the method qualifies for a therapeutic resection of symptomatic benign lesions (e. g. fibroadenomas). The technique should be used in specialized breast centers working in a multidisciplinary setup. This paper is an expert's recommendation for the use of VB under sonographic guidance. It is not formulated as a nationwide guideline.

Imprint cytology of core needle biopsy specimens of breast lesions. A rapid approach to detecting malignancies, with comparison of cytologic and histopathologic analyses of 173 cases

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether imprint cytology of core needle biopsy (CNB) specimens from breast lesions is a useful method of rapidly obtaining additional diagnostic information and potentially can be used to reduce the number of biopsies needed.

STUDY DESIGN

Cytologic analysis was performed on 173 breast lesions and compared with their histopathologic diagnoses (143 malignant and 30 benign). For imprint cytology, one CNB specimen was rolled between two slides and stained with Diff-Quik and Papanicolaou stain.

RESULTS

The diagnostic overall accuracy of Diff-Quik stain (Papanicolaou stain) was 95.4% (95.9%), with a sensitivity of 96.5% (97.2%), specificity of 90% (90%), positive predictive value of 97.8% (97.8%) and negative predictive value of 84.3% (87.0%). There was no statistically significant difference between the stains. Histopathologic analysis had an overall accuracy of 97.7%, with a sensitivity of 97.2%, specificity and positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 88.2%.

CONCLUSION

Imprint cytology of CNBs is a sensitive method of detecting malignancies in breast tumors. Diff-Quik is a rapid and reliable approach that can reduce the number of biopsies. Inadequate and suspicious cases should be evaluated based on complementary diagnostic procedures for breast lesions.

A tumorous type of pulmonary rhabdomyomatous dysplasia

We report an extraordinary case of tumorous type of rhabdomyomatous dysplasia without any other malformation in a fetus of 23 weeks gestation. Histologically, autopsy showed distinctive striated muscle tissue in the upper and middle lobes of the right lung. Unusual in this case, compared with previously published reports, is the absence of further malformations, the occurrence in the apical parts of the lung and the marked degree of rhabdomyomatous dysplasia. The case report is followed by a differential diagnosis, review of the literature and discussion of the pathogenesis.

The response of uterine fibroids to GnRH-agonist treatment can be predicted in most cases after one month

Twenty-seven patients with uterine fibroids were treated for 3 months with the GnRH-agonist goserelin prior to surgical myomectomy. Ovarian function was suppressed reliably in all patients. After three applications, 15 fibroids were reduced in volume by more than 50%, and one complete remission was achieved. Seven patients showed a decrease of 10-50% in volume. However, in 5 cases there was no significant reduction. Analysing the time course of the fibroid reduction, the response can be predicted in most cases as early as four weeks after the first injection. Retrospective statistical analysis showed that a 50% reduction in fibroid size due to GnRH treatment is preceded by a 35% reduction after 4 weeks in 81% of cases, and after 8 weeks in all cases. Only 2 of 12 fibroids, which showed a smaller response (less than 50%) to GnRH therapy, were reduced by more than 35% after 4 and 8 weeks. In most cases it seems to be possible to estimate the individual response to GnRH-application after the first injection, so that it is possible to stop therapy in non-responding patients.

Genetic amniocentesis in twin pregnancies: results of a multicenter study of 529 cases

To evaluate the risk of abortion after genetic amniocentesis in twin pregnancies, a retrospective study of 15 centers was performed. The spontaneous abortion rate up to 20 completed weeks of gestation was 2.3%; the abortion rate up to 28 completed weeks, as defined by WHO, was 3.7%. The abortion rate could not be correlated either with the number of needle insertions or with the type of marker dye used. There was also no correlation between the abortion rate and the gestational age at which amniocentesis was performed. A significant association was shown between congenital intestinal obstructions and the application of methylene blue intra-amniotically as a marker dye. Considering the increased natural loss rate in multiple gestations, amniocentesis in twin pregnancies seems to be a safe and reliable technique.

[Pätau syndrome without trisomy karyotype? Danger of restricted thinking in syndrome diagnosis]

By means of a case-report the problems of an uncritical usage of the terminus "syndrom" are pointed out. The report concerns with a newborn child clinically showing nearly all morphological characteristics of the "Pätau-Syndrom" without having a chromosomal aberration.

[Persistent cysts of the choroid plexus as sonographic indications of a genetic defect]

In the case of a 29-year-old woman an early SGA (small for gestational age) fetus was detected in her third pregnancy. This fact being already a possible indicator for a genetical defect, the fetus also showed permanent cysts of the Plexus choroideus as a sonographical symptom of a deletion of the chromosome 10 (10 qter). The value of Plexus choroideus cysts sonographically diagnosed during pregnancy is discussed by showing the differential diagnoses, the clinical proceedings in general and specially the indications for a chromosomal analysis.

[Vaginal sonography: pilot study for using in ovarian screening procedures]

From May to September 1987, 221 women of over 45 years of age were examined by transvaginal ultrasound at the Department of Gynaecology (Gynaecological Hospital) of the University of Marburg. Transvaginal ultrasound proved to be significantly superior to clinical examination, since palpation had resulted in "NAD" findings in all cases. The average diameter and the volume of postmenopausal ovaries, determined by transabdominal sonographic studies, were easily confirmed by the new method. In 6% of the 221 patients, pathological findings of the ovaries were clinically "NAD". Since the usefulness of transabdominal ultrasound in screening for ovarian cancer has already been confirmed by other authors, this pilot study aims at providing an opportunity to test transvaginal ultrasound also in a large ovarian cancer screening programme by furnishing the essential basic research data. Age-adapted average ovarian sizes and significant differences in size between the right and the left ovary were used to differentiate between normal and pathological findings as well as changes in the ovarian parenchymal patterns.

[Preoperative reduction of uterine leiomyoma by the GnRH-analog goserelin (zoladex)]

The administration of GnRH analogues is expected to improve treatment by avoiding hysterectomy, since problems connected with the surgical removal of leiomyomata are correlated with their size. In this study the GnRH analogue goserelin in its depot formulation (Zoladex, ICI, Plankstadt) was used for treating isolated leiomyomata of the uterus. All patients were treated for 3 months before myomectomy was performed. The complete regression of a large myoma (206 cm3) was observed in 1 of 11 patients. In 5 cases a reduction in volume of more than 50% was achieved. Ovarian function was suppressed by goserelin, after a short-term stimulation, within 7 +/- 3 days. Serum levels of 17 beta-oestradiol were found to be generally less than 25 pg/ml. All patients reported climacteric complaints, but in no case had therapy to be discontinued. After cessation of goserelin, restoration of ovarian function was observed in all patients.

[New possibilities for differentiated therapy of leiomyoma of the uterus using the GnRH agonist zoladex]

In a 28-year-old patient with a large uterine leiomyoma, complete tumor regression was achieved by the LHRH agonist Zoladex (ICI 118.630) when administered three times. During the follow-up period of three months, new myoma growth did not occur. On the basis of this case study, it is necessary to discuss a new therapy concept for the differentiated treatment of uterine leiomyomata in young women with a desire for pregnancy.

[Differential diagnosis of the axillary lymph node]

The authors report on clinically abnormal palpatory findings in the axilla. The radiology and sonography of these findings is described, as well as differential diagnosis between normal findings and benign as well as malignant changes. If it is not possible to confirm a benign aspect even by means of examination via relevant equipment, histological clarification must be sought whenever there is a new palpatory finding or if changes are noted.

[Initial clinical experiences with grid mammography]

The article reports on a comparison between 100 x-ray films (preparation radiographies, mammographies) with grid and a film/foil combination on the one hand, and conventional x-ray technique with material testing x-ray film on the other. The clear superiority of grid mammography is demonstrated by means of case examples.

[Ultrasound mammography: development, current status and limits]

Starting with a survey of the historical development of ultrasound-mammography the current status of this method within other diagnostic procedures of the breast is defined. Basing on over 1000 examinations since 1975 we report the sonographic possibilities in demonstrating different normal and pathologic breast structures. Pathologic structures are: Dudectasy, Cysts, Mastitis, Fibroadenoma, Carcinoma and Gynaecomasty. Own results are reported and the future of ultrasound mammography is discussed.

[Ultrasound mammography:special applications (author's transl)]

Clinical observations on more than 700 patients between September 1979 and October 1980 are reported. If cysts are suspected clinically, ultrasound mammography provides the most reliable diagnosis and is superior to all other methods for localization, fine-needle biopsy and follow-up. Since it is difficult to assess (due to summation effects), the radiologically dense breast (DY) is a further indication for sonography. In case of excentrically located palpatory findings, pregnant or immobile patients, ultrasound mammography can provide valuable diagnostic information.

[New aspects in ultrasound mammography (author's transl)]

We report about 239 ultrasound examinations of the breast using a new water-tank scanner (U.I.Octoson, Ausonics, Sydney, Australia). A very good tissue differentiation of the brease is caused by a special technique and a high resolution. Beside benign results, typical findings in 49 malignancies are demonstrated ("shadowing", "christmastree-sign") and its value discussed. All ultrasound examinations are correlated to X-ray mammography, thermography, needle-biopsy and patho-histology.