Utility of Targeted Sonography for Breast Lesions That Were Suspicious on MRI

Utility of Targeted Sonography for Breast Lesions That Were Suspicious on MRI
Wendy B. DeMartini, Peter R. Eby, Sue Peacock, and Constance D. Lehman
AJR 2009;192:1128-1134

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Targeted sonography detected nearly half (46%) of MRI lesions evaluated, with depiction being most frequent for masses. Sonographically occult lesions had a probability of malignancy (22%), which warrants biopsy despite lack of sonographic detection

Connie Lehman's paper reflects our own experience that we often only find 50% of suspicious masses on 2nd look ultrasound.

Increasing Accuracy of Detection of Breast Cancer with 3-T MRI

Increasing Accuracy of Detection of Breast Cancer with 3-T MRI
Haitham Elsamaloty, Mohamed Salah Elzawawi, Shaden Mohammad, and Nabeel Herial
AJR 2009;192:1142-1148

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MRI at 3 T is more sensitive than mammography and sonography in the detection of breast cancer and the characterization of small lesions (reaching 4 mm) but has lower specificity. Compared with the results of 1-T and 1.5-T MRI in the literature, 3-T MRI has higher sensitivity in the detection of breast cancer with no significant difference in specificity

Patients' Perceptions of Breast MRI: A Single-Center Study

Patients' Perceptions of Breast MRI: A Single-Center Study
Shaheen Zakaria, Kathleen R. Brandt, Amy C. Degnim, and Kristine M. Thomsen
AJR 2009;192:1149-1154

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Most women undergoing breast MRI for cancer staging and screening found it to be a comfortable test and perceived it to have a positive impact on their care. Breast cancer patients perceived the clinical impact of their breast MRI examination to be significantly more positive than when assessed objectively.

A Logistic Regression Model Based on the National Mammography Database Format to Aid Breast Cancer Diagnosis

A Logistic Regression Model Based on the National Mammography Database Format to Aid Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Jagpreet Chhatwal, Oguzhan Alagoz, Mary J. Lindstrom, Charles E. Kahn, Jr., Katherine A. Shaffer, and Elizabeth S. Burnside
AJR 2009;192:1117-1127

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The authors claim that -
"Our logistic regression model can effectively discriminate between benign and malignant breast disease and can identify the most important features associated with breast cancer."

I cannot comment on this paper yet, as I need time to digest it and examine what it has to offer us as practicing mammographers

Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia Diagnosed at Sonographically Guided 14-Gauge Core Needle Biopsy of Breast Mass

Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia Diagnosed at Sonographically Guided 14-Gauge Core Needle Biopsy of Breast Mass
Ji Hyun Youk, Eun-Kyung Kim, and Min Jung Kim
AJR 2009;192:1135-1141

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There conclusions are as follows - ADH diagnosed at sonographically guided 14-gauge core needle biopsy has a high underestimation rate with respect to the results of surgical excision. Surgical excision should be recommended when ADH is diagnosed at sonographically guided 14-gauge core needle biopsy of breast masses.

This paper adds to added value to what is the increasingly obvious problem of ADH, and the requirements for surgical biopsy if found at needle biopsy of whatever size. This paper adds validation for the same approach to be used with ultrasound findings as are used with stereotactic biopsy

Probably Benign Breast Masses Diagnosed by Sonography: Is There a Difference in the Cancer Rate According to Palpability?

Probably Benign Breast Masses Diagnosed by Sonography: Is There a Difference in the Cancer Rate According to Palpability?
Jung Hee Shin, Boo-Kyung Han, Eun Young Ko, Yeon Hyeon Choe, and Seok-Jin Nam
AJR 2009;192:187-191

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This Korean paper extends the possible validation of US BIRADS 3 to patients with palpable lesions. These sorts of papers will be useful for the BIRADS committee to review when they produce the next (5th Edition) of BIRADS in the next couple of years