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The Bi-RADS (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) classification developed by the ACR (American College of Radiology) is the classification system for radiological images recommended for breast cancer screening. The ACR 4 microcalcification is an indeterminate or suspected abnormality with 2-95% probability of malignancy, according to studies. This disparity pushed us to conduct this retrospective study of 181 patients in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology I at the Hassan II University Hospital, Fez, over a period of 5 years. This study aimed to report the histological results of breast lesions radiologically classified as ACR4 in order to assess their radio-histological correlation and to improve therapeutic approach. All patients underwent breast imaging examinations and then anatomopathologic examination was performed using different techniques. There was a clear predominance of benign lesions with a rate of 62% versus 29% of malignant lesions and only 9% were intermediate lesions. Adenofibroma was the most common histological finding (30% of cases), invasive ductal carcinoma was the most frequent malignant lesion (17% of cases). We performed a literature review which showed that our results were in line with findings of other studies, with a positive predictive value of 29%. Nevertheless, ACR classification divided into subcategories 4a, b and c should be used due to the significant number of unnecessary surgical interventions.

In case of a new breast symptom or an abnormal result of breast imaging, some women have a problem finding a quick answer to allay their anxiety. The Institut Sainte-Catherine in Avignon has set up a new form of accelerated disease management through the opening of a new dedicated consultation called SOS SEIN 84. We present the result of a prospective quality study of our first new patients., (Copyright © 2016 Société Française du Cancer. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To investigate diagnostic value of imaging procedures and management strategies of the patients with nipple discharge (ND) to establish management recommendations., Methods: Bibliographical search in French and English languages by consultation of PubMed, Cochrane and Embase databases., Results: Although, all ND require an systematic evaluation guided by clinical data, bloody ND could be a predictor of breast cancer risk among different colors of discharge particularly in patients of more than 50 years (LE2). The mammography and breast ultrasography are the imaging procedures to realize in first intention (grade C) but they turn out useful only when they detect radiological abnormalities (LE4). Galactography has only a localizing value of possible ductal abnormalities (when standard imaging procedures is not contributive) (LE4). Thus, in the diagnostic investigation of a suspicious ND, galactography it is not recommended in standard practice (grade C). The breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is recommended when breast standard imaging procedures are not contributive (grade C). The ND cytology is useful only if it is positive (i.e. reveal cancer cells). There is no proof on the diagnostic performance of the cytological analysis of the ND to allow a recommendation on its realization or not. In front of a suspicious ND, when breast-imaging procedures reveals an associated radiological lesion, an adapted percutaneous biopsy is recommended by percutaneous way (grade C). Vacuum-assisted breast biopsies is a diagnostic tool but can also be therapeutic allowing to avoid surgery in case of benign lesion but current literature data do not allow recommendations on the therapeutic aspect of vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (LE4). In the absence of associated radiological signal, and in case of reproducible bloody persistent ND, a pyramidectomy is recommended (grade C)., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To assess imaging performances for the detection, characterization and biopsy of breast microcalcifications and make recommendations., Materials and Methods: French and English publications were searched using PubMed, Cochrane Library and international learned societies recommendations., Results: Digital mammography (DR [Direct Radiography] and CR [Computed Radiography]) and screen-film mammography demonstrate good performances for the detection and the characterization of breast microcalcifications. Systematic use of the 2013 edition of the BI-RADS lexicon is recommended for description and characterization of microcalcifications. Faced with BI-RADS 4 or 5 microcalcifications, breast ultrasound is recommended but a normal result does not eliminate the diagnosis of cancer and other examination should be performed. Literature review does not allow recommending digital breast tomosynthesis, elastography or MRI to analyze microcalcifications. In case of probably benign microcalcifications (BI-RADS 3), six months, one year and at least two years follow-up are recommended. In case a biopsy is indicated, it is recommended to use a vacuum-assisted macrobiopsy system with 11-gauges needles or bigger. If no calcification is visible on the radiography of the specimen, it is recommended to obtain additional samples., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The development of the mammary imaging (mammography, ultrasound, MRI) enables the discovery of more and more lesions. The BI-RADS lexicon is the reference book for their descriptive analysis. Four elementary images must be individualized: masses and architectural distortion described in 3 imaging techniques, asymmetries and microcalcifications described in mammography. The aim of this work was to review three of these images: mass, architectural distortion and asymmetry, allowing the various actors involved in senology to propose an up-to-date diagnostic and interventional strategy, based on their positive predictive values (PPV) or negative predictive values of cancer and allowing the classification BI-RADS of the lesion. The masses are the most often encountered lesions as well in screening as in diagnosis. Their PPV is superior in diagnosis than in screening and it increases with the age. Their irregular forms, their spiculated outlines and their evolutionary character are the most relevant elements of suspicion. The architectural distortion is the rarest image and always classified suspect BI-RADS 4, except in case of a known scar. The asymmetry is less common; its PPV is low and rises only in case of evolutionary asymmetry., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

A change in the shape or appearance of the nipple-areola complex, especially if it is unilateral and recent appearance, is a sign of underlying breast tumor. Breast imaging is then required (grade C). Any erythematous lesion of the nipple or nipple-areola can be a Paget's disease, an adenoma of the nipple or a nipple eczema. Clinical course and pattern can point to a diagnosis without sufficient specificity (LE4). If nipple eczema is suspected, it is recommended to perform a test treatment with topical corticosteroids. In case of failure or if a Paget's disease of the breast is suspected, a biopsy must be done. When indicated, it is not possible to recommend a biopsy modality (scrape cytology, punch biopsy, nipple core biopsy and surgical excision) compared to another. When imaging exploration of the nipple-areola complex is necessary, ultrasound and mammography are recommended as first-line. In the absence of signal, an MRI is recommended as second-line (grade C)., (Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Nipple discharge is a common breast complaint that justifies an etiologic check-up in order to identify and characterize the underlying intraductal lesion. The low sensitivity and specificity of the existing imaging exams led to the search of new, more efficient ways to explore nipple discharge. MR-Galactography is one of these emerging techniques. Recent literature tends to prove that MR-Galactography could be an interesting technique for localizing and characterizing lesions causing nipple discharge., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Digital mammography is replacing conventional film-screen mammography. One of its advantages is to offer options of advanced processing such as tomosynthesis. Tomosynthesis allows to avoid the overlap of tissues depitected on mammograms, and potentially to improve the detection of subtle lesion such as architectural distortion, permits the characterization of masses and of density asymmetry and the accurate measurement of beast lesion by a better delineation of the lesion borders. Furthermore, in cases of superimposition mimicking an abnormality, it can show the lack of a significant finding and decrease the recall rate. However, additional studies are necessary to evaluate its added valve by comparison to mammography in consecutive patients and not only in retrospectively selectioned cases and to define its indication in diagnostic and screening.

As a consequence of breast imaging development and increased interventional radiology, benign epithelial breast diseases (BEBD) represent a growing percentage of breast pathology diagnoses. BEBD include numerous entities such as cysts, fibrosis, adenosis, duct ectasia, which require neither surgery nor follow-up. Some BEBD have to be individualized (radial scars, papillomas, complex sclerosing adenosis, lobular intraepithelial neoplasia, flat epithelial atypia, atypical hyperplasia), being preinvasive lesions or markers of increased breast cancer risk, or being associated with suspect radiological aspect. BEBD should be managed in a pluridisciplinar way and correctly diagnosed by percutaneous biopsies or surgical specimens. The goals of surgery vary according to lesions. It always allows a complete surgical specimen analysis and therefore a search for atypical or cancerous cells. Surgery can also have a preventive role by reducing the risk of potential malignant transformation. Finally, it enables in some cases the excision of a radiologically suspect mass. So the aim of this review is to give a clinical and morphological description of most common BEBD, underlying their cancer risk, specific diagnosis, therapeutic, follow-up and psychological repercussions.

Objective: To evaluate elastography in the characterization of breast nodules., Material and Methods: Elastography (Hitachi, 7.5- to 13-MHz probe; Ueno classification, scores 1-3=benign, 4-5=malignant) was evaluated in 125 subclinical lesions in 114 patients. The results were compared to those of the ACR's BI-RADS sonography categories (benign=2 and 3, malignant=4 and 5) and to the results of the percutaneous samples taken and/or surgery (122 lesions evaluated, 59%<10 mm, 61 cancers, 61 benign lesions)., Results: There were three technical failures (2.4%). The elastography was in agreement with histology for 101 lesions, with 13 false-negative results and eight false-positive results (sensitivity, 78.7%; specificity, 86.9%; PPV, 85.7%; NPV, 80.3%); versus agreement with the BI-RADS classification for 98 lesions with one false-negative result and 23 false-positive results (sensitivity, 98.4%; specificity, 47.5%; PPV, 65.2%; NPV, 96.7%)., Conclusion: Elastography is a simple and rapid complementary method that can improve the specificity and the PPV of morphological imaging studies of breast nodules with a low level of suspicion (BI-RADS categories 3 and 4a), which should decrease the rate of unnecessary benign biopsies.

Purpose: Determine the value of ultrasound for the diagnosis of isolated breast microcalcifications., Material and Methods: Fifty clusters of microcalcifications, including 25 smaller than 10 mm, were examined by ultrasound (5-13 MHz) prior to stereotactic aspiration macrobiopsy (30 benign lesions, three borderline lesions, and 17 malignant lesions, including ten in situ lesions and seven invasive lesions). Mammography had placed 13 of these cases in BI-RADS 3, 24 in BI-RADS 4, and 13 in BI-RADS 5. The BI-RADS classification was also used for ultrasound assessment., Results: Six of the 18 microcalcifications that were not seen by ultrasound were malignant (two invasive ductal cancers [IDC] and four ductal carcinomas in situ [DCIS]). Two of the four cases with no sonographically visible tissue mass proved to be malignant (one IDC, one DCIS); these two lesions had been classified BI-RADS 4 and 5 by mammography and were larger than 10 mm. Ultrasound visualized 16 masses classed BI-RADS 3, ten masses classed BI-RADS 4, and two masses classed BI-RADS 5. One of the lesions classified as BI-RADS 3 by mammography was an IDC that was classed BI-RADS3 by ultrasound. Four of the lesions classed BI-RADS 4 by mammography were malignant (three were classified BI-RADS3 by ultrasound while one was classed BI-RADS4). One benign lesion was classified BI-RADS 5 by ultrasound. Four cancers were mammographically classed BI-RADS 5; ultrasound was in agreement in one case but classed three of the cases as BI-RADS 4. In one case, ultrasound gave a diagnosis of benignity (BI-RADS 3 classification)., Conclusion: Ultrasound is unsuited for the diagnosis of microcalcifications because it fails to visualize a mass in one-third of cancers and the existence of a mass is correlated with malignancy in one-third of cases. Furthermore, US does not correct the false-negative errors of mammography, and it underestimates the rate of malignancy by ascribing a benign appearance to 50% of cancers, which mammography correctly classifies BI-RADS 4 or 5.

The most important roles of ultrasound in breast imaging include the diagnosis of cysts and the characterization of masses that have been incompletely assessed by mammography. Ultrasonography techniques such as harmonic and compound imaging have recently been introduced and are more efficient than conventional imaging in terms of lesion conspicuity and the characterization of breast nodule. The BI-RADS classification is an important system for describing and classifying breast lesions. With this approach, a population of benign solid breast lesions that does not require biopsy can be accurately defined. Ultrasonography should be performed as first-line examination in juvenile, in pregnant women and in patients with inflammatory syndrome. Ultrasound can detect mammographically occult breast the way they develop.

Purpose: To report our experience with macrobiopsy under stereotaxy., Materials and Methods: Retrospective study of 248 procedures in 236 patients for microcalcifications in 95% of cases. The macrobiopsies were performed under Mammotome for lesions graded ACR 3, ACR 4 and ACR 5 in 8.4%, 81.6% and 14.8% of cases respectively., Results: From a technical point of view, 91% of procedures had no technical problem. The image guided excision was complete in 68% of cases with lesions less than 1 cm in size and in 6% of cases for lesions larger than 1 cm. The rate of a misdiagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ for patients with invasive carcinoma was 27% whereas the rate of a misdiagnosis of atypical ductal hyperplasia in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ was 25% knowing that patients with atypical ductal hyperplasia for which all microcalcifications had been fully removed by macrobiopsy and without risk factors did not undergo surgery., Conclusion: Even if macrobiopsy of microcalcifications is a reliable method, its main limitation remains the risk of misdiagnosis of borderline lesions.

The development of imaging-guided biopsy techniques has considerably improved the early diagnosis of breast cancers following initial detection by screening. Nevertheless, in a small percentage of cases, histopathologic findings are unsatisfactory owing to false negative errors attributable to operator inexperience or inadequate sample material (this is especially true for microcalcifications with 20% underestimation rates for atypical hyperplasia); repeat biopsy is warranted in such situations. When a discrepancy exists with imaging findings and for cases of atypical epithelial hyperplasia, surgical excision is imperative so as not to overlook or underestimate a malignant lesion. Controversy continues concerning the best approach for radial scars (sclerosing ductal lesions), papillary lesions, atypical lobular hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ: determination of which benign anomalies can merely be followed-up remains a problem. Better awareness of the limitations of percutaneous tissue sampling procedures should lead to refinement of the indications for these techniques and improvement of patient selection and thereby reduce delays in accurate diagnosis.

Purpose: In order to increase sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of breast cancer, more than one - generally two or three - mammograms of the same breast are obtained. In order to be able to carry out 3D reconstruction of microcalcification clusters on one hand, and efficiently fuse the information they carry on the other hand, one needs to match corresponding regions of microcalcifications from the different views. Unfortunately, this may be difficult at times. To help the situation, we have developed in this paper, a technique to automatically match microcalcifications found on pairs of mammograms from the same breast., Materials and Methods: We used the computed morphological characteristics of individual microcalcifications to build a likeness function to match the microcalcifications. The geometrical constraint suitable for the system used was then applied to reduce the possibilities. From the remaining possibilities, the one with the highest likeness was selected as pair of corresponding microcalcifications., Results: This technique was tested on a number of real cases and yielded 77.14% of good matches., Conclusion: This technique provides good results and could therefore be used either directly or for 3D-reconstruction of clustered microcalcifications.

BI-RADS is a system of assistance to the drafting of the reports more and more used in the world and soon directly implemented on mammography and ultrasound units. The categories of evaluation of the BI-RADS allow a clear synthesis of the descriptive data resulting from the use of the lexicon and invite the radiologist to a reasoned, objective and less intuitive step. They give an action to be taken and responsibility to the radiologist and the referring physicians in the assumption of the patients. The 4th edition of the BI-RADS mammography appeared in 2003, and is now associated with the first editions of the BI-RADS ultrasound and MRI.

Unlabelled: As the biological effects of progestins vary according to their molecular structure, it becomes essential to differentiate the various types of progestins, particularly with regard to the breast., Objective: The purpose of this review was to gather published data on the effects of a 19-norprogesterone derivative, nomegestrol acetate, on the breast. Materials and methods. All experimental and clinical published studies reporting data in the literature on nomegestrol acetate and breast were reviewed., Results: In experiments on steroid receptors, it was shown that nomegestrol acetate presents a high binding specificity and affinity for progesterone receptors, notably in normal and cancerous human breast tissues. It sharply inhibits synthesis of progesterone receptors in hormone-dependent T-47D human breast cancer cells grown in an estrogenic culture medium, thereby demonstrating its strong progestational activity. On the other hand, it does not bind to estrogen receptors and lacks any estrogenic potential, confirmed by the lack of induction of alkaline phosphatase activity of endometrial Ishikawa cells. Estrogen-induced synthesis of estrogen receptors is also inhibited by nomegestrol acetate, a major determinant of its strong intrinsic anti-estrogenic activity. Unlike androgenic progestins (e.g. 19-nortestosterone derivatives and medroxyprogesterone acetate) which may act indirectly on the breast by inducing modifications of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), nomegestrol acetate is devoid of any androgenic activity. In studies carried out on the effects of progestins on enzyme activities involved in estradiol (E2) formation in breast tissue, nomegestrol acetate can control E2 levels in breast cancer tissue in vitro: it inhibits estrone sulfatase activity that converts estrone sulfate (E1S) to estrone (E1) and inhibits 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activity that converts E1 to E2, resulting in blockade of E2 bioformation in MCF-7 and T-47D human breast cancer cells. It also stimulates sulfotransferase activity and subsequently the transformation of non conjugated estrogens E1 and E2 into biologically inactive estrogen sulfates. In vitro studies on cell proliferation have demonstrated that nomegestrol acetate, on the one hand, is unable to stimulate proliferation of MCF-7 cells cultured in a medium devoid of estrogens and, on the other hand, can exert antiproliferative effects on T-47D cells grown in an estrogenic environment. Furthermore, studies on mammary apoptosis have shown that the withdrawal of nomegestrol acetate induces apoptosis peak of normal human breast epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo. In clinical trials carried out with premenopausal women, nomegestrol acetate administered in antigonadotropic sequence has demonstrated its efficacy in the treatment of cyclical mastodynia and early onset benign breast diseases. With postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) combining estrogen and nomegestrol acetate, clinical trial results showed low incidence of mastodynia while under treatment as well as moderate increase in mammographic density, particularly with continuous combined regimens, however rapidly reversed by a short-term suspension of HRT. Noclinical data with this progestagen is available on breast cancer risk., Conclusion: In addition to efficacy on mastodynia, in vitro and in vivo study results support the good tolerance of nomegestrol acetate on breast, in the short and medium term.

Generalization of breast screening programs requires efficient double reading of mammograms, which allows reduction of false negative interpretations, but it may be difficult to achieve. CAD (Computed Aided Detection) systems are dramatically improving and can now assist in the detection of suspicious mammographic lesions, either suspicious microcalcifications, masses or architectural distortion. Characterization of the lesions is improving as well. CAD mammography might complete or substitute to "human" double reading. The aim of this review is to present the main CAD systems commercially available, review the principles of CAD and discuss the results of CAD mammography. Specifically, the role of CAD within breast screening program, according to the results of recent prospective studies will be discussed.

Identification of architectural distortion requires a good practice of mammography. Prevalence is estimated at 6% of detected abnormalities in screening programs. Under this denomination are gathered focal architectural distortion with predictive positive value (PPV) of 10% and stellate images without central densification, which are more suspicious (PPV 50%). In order to establish a diagnosis, false images must be eliminated by other views. Minimal architectural distortion have to be investigated by other techniques (sonography, MRI percutaneous biopsy) in order to define the best strategy for further management. Stellate images suggestive of radial scars must be surgically removed. The relationships between radial scars and tubular carcinoma are discussed. A particular attention is required for post traumatic or post surgical scars if it exist a high risk of local recurrence or controlateral carcinoma specially after conservative or oncoplastic surgery.

At screening mammography, lesions must be assigned to BI-RADS classification. Category 3 is used for nonpalpable probably benign lesions. This category is defined either by a subset of lesions that are so likely to be benign that follow-up is a reasonable alternative to immediate biopsy, or by a less than 2% malignancy rate for American BI-RADS, or than 5% for French ANAES. The initial work-up to analyze the lesion must be complete, not only with four screening standard views but with magnification views and sonography if necessary. The risk of malignancy is very low and the pronostic factors are the same as in screening detected carcinomas.

We describe the case of a 38-year-old woman with breast tuberculosis associated with a second localization in the lumber spine. These features simulated breast cancer with vertebral metastasis. Clinical and imaging findings are described herein.

Purpose: We attempted to find ultrasound scar subsequent to vacuum assisted breast biopsy (Mammotome system) previously performed, and to enhance its value for preoperative localization., Materials and Methods: Our study included 34 females requiring needle localization prior to surgery. They previously had Mammotome core biopsies for clustered microcalcifications. US examination was systematically performed before insertion of the metallic marker, in order to detect a scar. Identification of the scar allowed ultrasonographic guided localization. The accuracy was correlated with histologic findings., Results: Ultrasonography detected a scar in 21 of the 34 patients (63%). Among all these cases, a perfect correlation could be established between ultrasound target and histologic scar revealed by microscopic examination., Conclusion: Ultrasound detection of scar allows ultrasonographic guidance and can therefore be the only alternative in cases of absence or displacement of the marker clip.

In cases of subclinical mammographic abnormalities, being able to determine after screening, the indications regarding the type of imaging guidance and the type of biopsy equipment. In presence of microcalcifications, stereotactic mammography, either screen-film or digital, is the modality of choice. As fine needle aspiration cytology is insufficient, it is necessary to obtain tissue specimens with at least 14 Gauge Tru-cut needle, triggered by automatic guns, or coaxial needles of 11 G or 8 G, adaptable on a vacuum aspiration system. In case of mammographic opacities or masses, the same type of sampling can be used under US guidance as long as there is a good sonographic contrast of the lesion. Fine needle puncture, well accepted, keeps all its interest for cystic lesions and for solid ones, because of the value of its multidirectionnal sampling that well trained cytopathologists can make very informative. However, in case of insufficient or discordant results, US guided microbiopsies or macrobiopsies, using newer guns, allow to obtain a histologic diagnosis equivalent to surgical biopsy. If fine needle US guided puncture can be performed in first intention, straight after ultrasonographic examination, percutaneous micro- or macrobiopsies (using US or stereotactic guidance) must be undertaken in second intention after having explained to the patient this ambulatory procedure, the eventual risks, and by insisting on the results that can be expected for a precise diagnosis.

The objective of this article is to explain radiologic patterns of benign and malignant breast lesions (masses, microcalcifications) based on histological correlations. The stromal fibrous reaction associated to infiltrating carcinomas is responsible of focal increased density, and architectural distorsion, ultrasound acoustic shadowing; abnormal neoangiogenesis can be detected by Doppler, CT or MR imaging. Invasive carcinomas without spiculated margins are poorly differentiated tumors. Mammographic patterns of microcalcifications depend on their physiopathological process (necrosis, secretion), and the shape of clusters (round, triangular) typifies their anatomical site of origin (lobular, ductal). Less frequent lesions (invasive lobular, mucinous, and medullary carcinomas, radial scar) will be also explained based on radiopathological correlations. Knowledge of radiopathological correlations in breast diseases helps the radiologists to analyze and characterize breast lesions.

BI-RADStrade mark is the referral lexicon in the United States for the classification of terms which are used for reporting breast imaging. The purpose of this chapter is to present and summarize the French version.

In order to favour the early diagnosis of breast cancer, the authors used an original method consisting in teaching nurses about breast tumors and cancer, and especially about self-examination of the breasts. Subsequently, 73 patients aged under 24 years were admitted to our survey: 90 per cent had an understanding of risk factors and 97 per cent were practicing self-examination. In 21 cases, consultation was carried out for mastalgia and in 12 cases for esthetic and/or banal inflammatory lesions: 40 patients presented a lump in the breast. Sonography turned out to be a better method of examination than mammography in those young women presenting breast lesions. Following surgery, histological examination found that in the majority of cases the tumour was benign (fibrocyst or adenofibromas). We were surprised by medullary carcinoma in one case.

Objective: To decrease the number of open excisional breast biopsies, percutaneous breast biopsies have been developed to perform the histologic diagnosis of non-palpable breast lesions. Some techniques allow a complete removal of small radiologic lesions. To evaluate the accuracy of a pathologic analysis performed only on the radiologic findings, we studied the radiologic and histologic correlation on open excisional biopsy (OEB) specimens. The aim of our study was to determine how many carcinomas were found distant from the radiologic findings., Material and Methods: Non-palpable breast lesions have been excised after preoperative localization. The radiologic findings were classified in microcalcifications, masses, architectural distortion and in sonographic masses. The correlation between the radiologic and pathologic findings was studied and all the lesions incidentally discovered on histology with no correlation with the imaging findings or distant from the radiologic findings were described. One hundred and twenty-nine lesions have been evaluated in 99 patients. Radiologic findings included 79 clusters of microcalcifications, 30 masses, six architectural distortions and 14 sonographic lesions., Results: The histopathological results were benign in 41.9%, malignant in 49.6% and atypical hyperplasia lesions were discovered in 8.5%. All benign lesions were correlated to radiologic findings. No malignant lesion was found at a distance. In three cases atypical hyperplasia lesions were coexistent with the radiologic findings correlated with benign lesions and in three cases they were found at a distance. All but two malignant lesions were correlated with radiologic findings. In two cases a microinvasive carcinoma and foci of labular carcinoma in situ were found coexistent with benign lesions. The subgroup of small lesions lesser than 10 mm included 31 benign lesions. A complete removal of these lesions should be obtained with percutaneous biopsies., Conclusion: A pathologic analysis targeted on radiologic findings is accurate. Numerous open excisional biopsies performed for benign pathology should be avoided.

Unlabelled: The objective of this prospective study of a 115-case series cases was to delineate the specific usefulness of this technique for the diagnosis and management of patients with microcalcifications., Materials and Methods: Patients with probably benign ACRII and III (n = 87) or suspicious ACRIV (n = 14) and high suspicious lesion ACRV (n = 7) lesions. The microcalcification sites were blopsied with a dedicated table and a vacuum assisted aspiration system (Mammotome). The results were correlated either with the results of any surgery or, for the lesions with benign histology findings, with the results of the six-month follow-up mammography., Results: These results concern a series with a follow-up longer than one year. The patients' mean age was 53 years. The procedure was possible in 108 of 115 cases (feasibility). There were two failures. We studied 87 patients with ACRII or III findings; the mean size of the microcalcification cluster was 8.3 +/- 6 mm. For 67, it was less than or equal to 10 mm. The mean size for the 21 patients initially staged as ACRIV or V was 18 +/- 9 mm, and for 15 of them, it was less than or equal to 10 mm. Microcalcifications were found on the radiographs of 96% of the biopsies specimens. Excision was complete in 59 of 73 cases for the clusters less than or equal to 10 mm and in only 12 of 35 cases for the larger clusters. The correlation between the ACR staging and the histology results was excellent., Conclusion: Vacuum-aspirated biopsies are indicated especially among patients with an ACRIII finding and a cluster smaller than 10 mm. Surgery was avoided in more than 60% of these cases. When surgery was performed, it most often resulted in the discovery of malignant lesions. This procedure was also useful for the very small ACRIV clusters, which were totally benign and completely excised. Finally it can be useful for obtaining a preoperative diagnosis in the case of extensive ACRIV or ACRV lesions (strategic biopsies).

Objective: To determinate the rate of malignant lesions discovered after surgery for nonpalpable breast lesions diagnosed by radiology., Tools and Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 261 patients who underwent surgery for nonpalpable breast lesions at the Saint-Etienne University Hospital between 1991 and 1998. We included women who did not have any palpable breast lesion. We excluded bilateral lesions and nonpalpable lesions associated with a palpable lesion in the same breast. We grouped outcome by alarming signs, those of complementary exams such as mammography, ultrasound, fine-needle aspiration biopsy and setreotaxis core needle breast biopsy in their sensitivity, specificity and predictive values, and classed results by pathology and type of surgery performed. All nonpalpable lesions were localized by stereotaxis maneuvers., Results: In our series, 61.7% of the patients were seen for individual detection, 3% had participated in mass screening programs and 35.3% were referred for suspected conditions. The predictive value of malignant lesions on mammography, analyzed in all cases and interpreted in 275, was 42.2%. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound exams performed in 50.2% of the cases were 85% and 91% respectively. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy and core needle biopsy were performed in 45 (18%) and 23 (9%) cases respectively. Twelve patients underwent total mastectomy with axillary dissections, 58 had tumorectomy with axillary dissections, and 191 had simple tumorectomy. Benign lesions were found in 128 (49.1%) cases, atypical hyperplasia in 10.7%, carcinoma in situ in 57 (cases 21.8%). The rate of malignant lesions was 38.6%. I was 50.9% when borderline lesions (atypical hyperplasia and in situ lobular carcinoma) were included., Conclusion: In our series, 38.6% of all nonpalpable operated breast lesions were cancers. Ultrasound, fine-needle aspiration and needle core biopsy showed high sensitivity and specificity allowing good biopsy outcome.

Purpose: To compare the diagnosis performances of radiologists on screen film versus digital mammography., Material: and methods: Two sets of 123 mammograms, screen film mammography and storage phosphor digital mammography, are studied comparatively with ROC analysis., Results: Phantom study show that conventional method give better scores for usual tension but the detectability of smaller microcalcification is equivalent. To obtain with digital technic the same conventional score you have to increase the radiation dose. Roc Curves, simulated "detection" mode showed that radiologists performed with higher accuracy with conventional system but this difference is weekly statistically significant. ROC Curves, simulated "diagnostic" mode showed the same results wit no statistically significant difference but when the decision to go to the biopsy is the gold standard, ROC Curves were essentially equivalent for both film screen and digital mammography system. The readers consistently considered the digital mammograms to be less suspicious for cancer findings. The agreement study as proposed by the FDA indicate that probability of a positive digital mammograms given a positive screen film is 75% (threshold value 90%) and the probability of a negative digital mammograms given a negative analog film is 85% (threshold value 85%)., Conclusion: Analysis of specific discrepancies indicate that spatial resolution is an essential limiting factor for digital method but high resolution phosphor plate are interesting in imaging treated breast, radioluscent lesion, fatty benign tumor, hamartoma, intramammary lymph node, breast with prosthesis.

Objective: The aim of our study was to assess if surgery for non-palpable breast lesions could be compatible with a walk-in case hospitalization setting., Method: We retrospectively compared 75 patients with a traditional hospital stay to 68 patients with a walking case hospitalization. Overall 143 patients were treated during 1997. Studied parameters were: the quality of the surgical results, the duration of the hospital stay and the post operatives complications. Statistical analysis was realized using the chi 2 test., Results: There was no difference between the studied populations according to the quality of surgical results either the post operatives complications., Conclusion: Surgery for non palpable breast lesions can be performed during a one day surgery. The reduction of the duration of the hospital stay decrease the cost of health care system. We should follow the evaluation of the walking case hospitalization for the breast cancer surgery especially when an axillary lymphadenectomy have to be performed.

Fine-needle biopsy under ultrasound guidance is widely used in the diagnosis of subclinical breast lesions seen on mammograms. This minimally invasive procedure requires little time and is reliable for the diagnosis of lesions in a central or peripheral (axillary extension, upper part of the superomedial quadrant, mammary fold) location, or in small-sized breasts. The procedure is done in real time, allowing reliable verification of the specimen. The cytologic results are available almost immediately. Close collaboration between the radiologist and pathologist is essential.

Histologic findings from two consecutive series of fine-needle biopsies of nonpalpable breast lesions were compared. The first series included 243 tumors sampled stereotactically, and the second 198 tumors sampled under ultrasound guidance. The results, together with data from the literature, demonstrated that: 1) the diagnostic efficacy of stereotactic fine-needle cytology of lesions seen on mammograms only as microcalcifications is inadequate; 2) ultrasound-guided fine-needle cytology is an extremely reliable diagnostic tool for lesions that are not seen only as microcalcifications.

We assessed the accuracy with which stereotactic core biopsy of breast microcalcifications helps to justify follow-up or indicate required surgical planning. Eighty-nine patients underwent stereotactic breast biopsy performed with large core needles. Histopathologic findings of microbiopsies were correlated with radiological findings, with follow up and with surgical findings. Agreement between radiological and histopathologic findings on biopsies was obtained in 86% for benign results. Even in the case of benign radiological findings, the histological results of microbiopsies required a surgical biopsy justified in 10% of cases. Radiologically suspicious or malignant microcalcifications were correlated with 35% benign and 65% malignant histologies on biopsies. The positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were respectively 93%, 86% and 95%. Invasive lesions were found on microbiopsies in 39% of excised malignant lesions. Multifocal lesions were proved on microbiopsies in 50% of all excised carcinomas. Microbiopsies help to disclose malignant lesions undetected on radiological analysis, and may obviate diagnostic surgical biopsy in many cases.

Within 18 month, 83 solid breast nodules were biopsied with a long throw biopsy gun with 18 gauge needle (Monopty, Bard Urological, Covington) and a 13 Mhz real time AU 530 (Easote Biomedica, Italy) for the ultrasound guidance. The biopsy procedure was well tolerated with no serious complications, and with no insufficient material. US guided biopsy detected 9 cancers, 47 specific benign lesions (39 fibroadenomas, 1 lipofibroadenoma, 4 sclerosing adenoses, 1 fibromatosis, 1 cyst, 1 lymphadenopathy) and 27 non specific benign fibrocystic dystrophy. In 14 out of the 15 nodules surgically removed, the histological diagnoses were identical. In the one remaining case a fibroadenomas was assessed. In the 36 other cases no evolution occurred. US guided core biopsy with automatic device is probably a very useful approach of uncertain pathological diagnoses in mastology.

In order to evaluate the interest of power doppler in breast studies, we studied 27 breast lesions in 22 patients. This series includes 8 malignant lesions, 11 benign lesions, and 8 enlarged lymph nodes. We used a Esaote Biomedica ultrasound machine with a 7 MHz transducer. We compared power doppler and pulsed doppler for every lesion. Power doppler was more sensitive in 3 out of 8 malignant tumors, 8 out of 11 benign lesions, and 5 out of 8 lymph nodes involvement. This study shows the value of power doppler in breast studies. The increased sensitivity, however, is balanced by a decreased specificity.

A series of 104 impalpable breast lesions detected by mammograms containing microcalcifications was studied. Intraoperative radiographs of intact and sliced specimens were assessed, followed by microscopic diagnostic on frozen sections of areas containing microcalcifications. Microcalcification detected on mammograms and on radiographs of the specimens were digitized and evaluated according morphometric parameters including the mean surface, shape factor, bend energy, the envelope surface and the total surface, the total number and the concentration of the microcalcifications. Benign disorders, atypical hyperplasia and carcinomas accounted for 47.2%, 4.8% and 48% of the tissue lesions respectively, but disorders were most often heterogeneous and mixed. Most but not all parameters were significantly correlated in the three types of radiographs, although radiographs of the sliced specimens provided for images of the best quality. Only two parameters, the mean size and the bend energy were significantly (p = 0.008, p. = 0.036) different in benign and malignant lesions. It is concluded that image analysis of digitized microcalcifications in radiographs may provide a quantitative basis helpful for mammograms interpretation.

The authors reviewed the accuracy of stereotaxic fine-needle aspiration cytology. Two hundred-twenty-eight lesions were studied: 103 benign lesions, 125 cancers. Inadequate sample was obtained in 26% of cases. None of the cytology reports were false-positive, whereas 77% of the suspect cytologic reports were malignant on histology. In strongly suspicious lesions at mammography, the decision to perform surgical biopsy should not be postponed as false negative cytologic findings (7 cases) are possible. In patients with a low suspicious lesion, cytology found six cancers. The benign-to-malignant ratio of excisional biopsies of non palpables lesions should be reduced by stereotaxic fine-needle aspiration cytology.

The ultrasonography of the breast is an essential technique in the diagnosis of mammary disease as mammography and fine needle aspiration. Ultrasound is extremely reliable in differentiating cystic from solid lesions. Three signs are the most significant in the diagnosis between benign tumors and well circumscribed cancer: shape and margins of the mass, depth/width ratio, feature of the connective tissue and adjacent structures. In association with mammography, sonography is most likely significant in breast screening cancer.

A 14-year-old girl consulted for multiple breast nodules which were found to result from Cowden's disease, also called multiple hamartomatosis. Mammography and sonography examinations were completed with nuclear magnetic resonance imaging after injection of paramagnetic contrast product. Cowden's disease is a rare condition resulting in the development of tumors in genodermatous tissue; The cause remains unknown. In cases involving the breast, cutaneous lesions are markers of precancerous development since cancer occurs in 28 to 30% of these cases.