Search

Abstract: Purpose: To determine the accuracy of a probably benign assessment of non-palpable breast lesions (BI-RADS category 3) at mammography and/or ultrasound with immediate histological work-up. Materials and methods: Stereotactic or ultrasound guided core needle breast biopsy (NBB) was performed to evaluate 288 lesions, which were prospectively assessed as BI-RADS category 3. Imaging findings included 195 masses, 73 calcification cases, 16 focal asymmetries, and four architectural distortion cases. After NBB, patients underwent either open surgical biopsy (OSB) (n =204) or mammographic follow-up (n =84) for at least 24 months. Histological results of NBB were compared with those of OSB. Results: Three of the 288 lesions (1.0%) proved to be malignant at histological work-up, two of them were ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and one of them was an invasive carcinoma. NBB revealed invasive carcinoma in 1/288 (0.35%) and atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) in 13/288 (4.5%) lesions. OSB revealed DCIS in 2/204 (1%) and invasive carcinoma in 1/204 (0.5%) lesions. The two DCIS were underestimated as ADH by NBB. The remaining 285 (99%) lesions proved to be benign at OSB or remained stable during follow-up. Conclusion: Confirmed by tissue diagnosis, the low likelihood of malignancy of prospectively assessed probably benign lesions is below the 2% threshold established for BI-RADS category 3. Imaging follow-up is a safe and effective alternative to immediate histological work-up for such lesions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: To determine the frequency with which stereotactic 11-g vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (11-g SVAB) obviates an open surgical biopsy (OSB), to compare the costs of these two biopsy methods, and to estimate the potential cost savings attributable to 11-g SVAB in the diagnosis of suspicious breast lesions in patients in Austria. Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed 318 consecutive breast lesions of BI-RADS categories IV and V (microcalcifications n =166; masses n =152) on which 11-g SVAB and OSB were performed. Cost savings were calculated using nationally allowed flat rates and patient charges. Costs were measured from a hospital and a socioeconomic perspective. Common clinical scenarios and sensitivity analyses assessed the extent of achievable cost savings. Results: 11-g SVAB obviated the need for an OSB in 93 (29%) of 318 women. Overall cost savings per 11-g SVAB over OSB were € 242 per case from a hospital perspective, and € 422 per case from a socioeconomic perspective. The use of 11-g SVAB decreased the cost of diagnosis by 7% from a hospital perspective, and by 10% from a socioeconomic perspective. Conclusion: In Austria, annual national savings of over 5 million Euro could be realized with the use of 11-g SVAB for the diagnosis of suspicious breast lesions. Although savings per case are modest, the national health care system realizes significant cost reduction as women benefit from a faster and less invasive approach to diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: To examine the budget impact of ultrasound-guided 14-g large core breast biopsy (US-guided LCBB) by comparing the costs of US-guided LCBB and open surgical biopsy (OSB); to calculate the cost savings attributable to US-guided LCBB; and to assess the frequency with which US-guided LCBB obviates the need for an OSB. Materials and methods: In a retrospective study, we reviewed 399 suspicious breast lesions on which US-guided LCBB and OSB or, in cases of benign histology, clinical follow-up, were performed. Cost savings were calculated using nationally allowed flat rates (A-drg) and patient charges. Costs were measured from both, a hospital and a socioeconomic perspective. Deterministic sensitivity analyses were simulated to assess the extent of achievable cost savings. Results: Overall cost savings for US-guided LCBB over OSB were €977 (€2,337/€3,314) per case from a hospital perspective, resulting in a total cost decrease of 30% for the diagnosis of suspicious breast lesions. From a socioeconomic perspective, cost savings were €1,542 (€2,600/€4,142) per case, resulting in a 37% reduction in biopsy cost. US-guided LCBB obviated the need for a surgical procedure in 240 (60%) of 399 women. In all four sensitivity analyses, costs of US-guided LCBB remained lower than that of OSB. Conclusion: From an economic perspective, US-guided LCBB is highly recommended for the diagnosis of suspicious breast lesions, as this procedure reduces the cost of diagnosis substantially. In Austria, annual cost savings would be €18.5 million. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: This study was prompted by a desire to measure human age by a means other than chronological or biological age. The purpose of the study was to use the total lifetime caloric intake in men as an index of aging.Method: The study was carried out by developing an algorithm to approximate the lifetime caloric intake. The total caloric intake is expressed such that one calorie-age year is defined as the total calories expended by an individual during his/her 20th year.Results: The results indicated that (1) the caloric intake of men progressively decreases with advancing age, that (2) the caloric-age is usually less than chronological age, and that (3) the caloric-age algorithm is a simple although crude method to assess lifetime caloric intake.Conclusion: The most important conclusion is that a person can get a better appreciation of the importance of avoiding excess caloric intake if human age is measured in terms of lifetime caloric intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]