Comparison between Visualization of Microcalcifications by Digital Breast Tomosynthesis and Full-Field Digital Mammography

Objective: To date, few studies have compared the diagnostic performance and visibility of microcalcifications obtained using digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) with those obtained from full-field digital mammography (FFDM). The visualization and characterization of microcalcifications with DBT remain controversial. The purpose of this study was to compare the visibility of microcalcifications and determine whether DBT exhibits a diagnostic advantage for visualizing microcalcifications over FFDM. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 120 cases including DBT and FFDM imaging (60 histologically verified as breast cancers and 60 as benign microcalcifications or normal). DBT images with a wide scan-angle of 50° and FFDM images were obtained using a flat-panel system (MAMMOMAT Inspiration, Siemens). Images were independently reviewed by four board-certified radiologists and evaluated for the presence of microcalcifications, probability of malignancy (BI-RADS classification), and visibility. Results: In predicting the malignancy of detected microcalcifications, no significant difference was found between readers’ areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for DBT and FFDM (p = 0.068). The visibility scores of detected microcalcifications were 3.74 ± 1.06 for DBT and 3.46 ± 0.93 for FFDM, respectively. The visibility of microcalcifications when using DBT was found to be significantly superior to that of FFDM (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the image quality of DBT with a wide scan-angle is comparable or superior to that obtained with FFDM in terms of both visibility and assessment of microcalcifications.

Calcified and Non-Calcified Ductal Carcinoma <i>in Situ</i>: Contrast-Enhanced MRI Features and Pathological Correlation

Background: Early detection of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is essential for improving the prognosis of breast cancer. Among mammographically detected DCIS cases, approximately 10% - 20% of DCIS cases are manifested as non-calcified. Purpose: To evaluate differences in MRI findings and histological features between mammographically evident non-calcified and calcified DCIS. Material and Methods: This study included 84 cases of pathologically proven DCIS in 82 patients who underwent preoperative breast MRI. The lesions were divided into non-calcified and calcified DCIS according to the presence of calcifications on mammography. MRI features were analyzed according to the enhancement pattern. The pathologic features were also reviewed. Results: Among the 84 DCIS cases, 30 (36%) were classified as non-calcified DCIS, and 54 (64%) as calcified DCIS on mammography. On MRI, 27% (8/30) of non-calcified DCIS and 17% (9/54) calcified DCIS presented as mass enhancement, 73% (22/30) non-calcified DCIS and 83% (45/54) calcified DCIS presented as non-mass enhancements. No significant difference in the type of lesion was observed between non-calcified and calcified DCIS (p = 0.274). Histopathologically, high nuclear grade, presence of necrosis, and presence of HER-2 status were more common in calcified DCIS than in non-calcified DCIS (p Conclusion: There were no significant differences in MRI findings between non-calcified and calcified DCIS. However, calcified DCIS had more aggressive histological features than non-calcified DCIS.

Prognostic Value of SUVmax of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in Early Stage Breast Cancer with No LN Metastasis

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between SUVmax of FDG-PET/CT and pathological findings including prognostic factors in early-stage T1-T2 breast cancer patients with no LN metastasis. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study investigated 75 patients (mean age 58.9 years;age range 30 - 82 years) with invasive breast cancer who underwent FDG-PET/CT for preoperative staging. All patients underwent subsequent surgery without prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy or endocrine therapy, and those who were confirmed to have T1- or T2-stage by histopathology with no LN metastasis were included. Two patients who had no perceptible FDG accumulation on PET/CT scans were excluded. The correlations between the SUVmax of the tumor and the pathological and immunohistochemical data were evaluated. Results: The mean SUVmax for the total 73 tumors was 5.46 ± 4.05. The mean SUVmax was 3.95 ± 3.28 for the T1 stage group (n = 36) and 7.23 ± 4.10 (p p p p = 0.008), and high Ki-67 status (p < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion: In T1-T2 breast cancer with no LN metastasis, the SUVmax of FDG-PET/CT had significant positive relationships with several prognostic parameters of pathological status. Even in early-stage breast cancer patients, pretreatment FDG-PET/CT is useful for predicting malignant behavior and prognosis).

Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the incidence and the risk factors of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) following transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 186 sessions of TACE in 122 patients with HCC. We examined the incidence and factors associated with risk of CIN, defined as an increase of at least 0.5 mg/dl (44.2 μmol/l) or 25% of the baseline serum creatinine level between 48 and 72 hours after TACE. Results: CIN developed in 14 (7.5%) of the 186 sessions after TACE. A univariate analysis showed that the Child-Pugh class B or C [10/14 (71%) vs. 70/172 (41%), P = 0.046], a low albumin level (3.0 ± 0.5 vs. 3.4 ± 0.6, P = 0.018), and a low hemoglobin level (10.6 ± 2.0 vs. 11.8 ± 2.0, P = 0.035) were significantly associated with the development of CIN. Multivariate analysis revealed that the hemoglobin value was associated with CIN [odds ratio (OR) 1.6;P = 0.038]. Conclusions: CIN after TACE is closely associated with the severity of liver cirrhosis, and with low levels of albumin and hemoglobin. Effective preventive methods remain to be considered in patients with HCC and advanced LC who are undergoing TACE.