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Emergency departments (ED) are increasingly utilized by oncology patients for disease- and treatment-related issues. With the increased use of new molecular targeted therapy (MTT) and conventional chemotherapeutic regimens, oncology patients present with a range of adverse treatment effects, some of which reveal characteristic injury patterns and imaging appearances. Knowledge of these imaging findings is critically important for early detection and prompt management in oncology patients. In this article, we present a brief review of conventional chemotherapeutic and new MTT regimens as well as address adverse reactions that bring oncology patients to the ED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast MR imaging is a complementary screening tool for patients at high risk for breast cancer and has been used in the diagnostic setting. Normal enhancement of breast tissue on MR imaging is called breast parenchymal enhancement (BPE), which occurs after administration of an intravenous contrast agent. BPE varies widely due to menopausal status, use of exogenous hormones, and breast cancer treatment. Degree of BPE has also been shown to influence breast cancer risk and may predict treatment outcomes. The authors provide a comprehensive update on BPE with review of the recent literature., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors have no commercial or financial conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This publication provides an overview of current imaging indications and practices for patients undergoing gender-affirming surgery, with an emphasis on the importance of tailored, patient-specific care. Gender-affirming surgeries are performed with personalized approaches at various stages of life for those with intersex traits or differences in sex development (I/DSD) and transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals. For I/DSD patients, ultrasound, genitography, or MRI occurs during infancy and puberty to evaluate genital and gonadal anatomy. Facial harmonization involves bony and soft tissue modifications, guided by maxillofacial computerized tomography (CT) with three-dimensional reconstruction. Ultrasound is the main modality in assessing hormone-related and post-surgical changes in the chest. Imaging for genital reconstruction uses cross-sectional images and fluoroscopy to assess neoanatomy and complications., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Objective: To evaluate the association of mammographic, radiologist, and patient factors on BI-RADS 3 assessment at diagnostic mammography in patients recalled from screening mammography., Methods: This Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective study of consecutive unique diagnostic mammography examinations in asymptomatic patients recalled from screening mammography March 5, 2014, to December 31, 2019, was conducted in a single large United States health care institution. Mammographic features (mass, calcification, distortion, asymmetry), breast density, prior examination, and BI-RADS assessment were extracted from reports by natural language processing. Patient age, race, and ethnicity were extracted from the electronic health record. Radiologist years in practice, recall rate, and number of interpreted diagnostic mammograms were calculated. A mixed effect logistic regression model evaluated factors associated with likelihood of BI-RADS 3 compared with other BI-RADS assessments., Results: A total of 12 080 diagnostic mammography examinations were performed during the study period, yielding 2010 (16.6%) BI-RADS 3 and 10 070 (83.4%) other BI-RADS assessments. Asymmetry (odds ratio [OR] = 6.49, P <.001) and calcification (OR = 5.59, P <.001) were associated with increased likelihood of BI-RADS 3 assessment; distortion (OR = 0.20, P <.001), dense breast parenchyma (OR = 0.82, P <.001), prior examination (OR = 0.63, P = .01), and increasing patient age (OR = 0.99, P <.001) were associated with decreased likelihood. Mass, patient race or ethnicity, and radiologist factors were not significantly associated with BI-RADS 3 assessment. Malignancy rate for BI-RADS 3 lesions was 1.6%., Conclusion: Asymmetry and calcifications had an increased likelihood of BI-RADS 3 assessment at diagnostic evaluation with low likelihood of malignancy, while radiologist features had no association., (© Society of Breast Imaging 2024. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Nonmass enhancement (NME) on breast MRI impacts surgical planning., Purpose: To evaluate positive predictive values (PPVs) and identify malignancy discriminators of NME ipsilateral to breast cancer on initial staging MRI., Study Type: Retrospective., Subjects: Eighty-six women (median age, 48 years; range, 26-75 years) with 101 NME lesions (BI-RADS 4 and 5) ipsilateral to known cancers and confirmed histopathology., Field Strength/sequence: 1.5 T and 3.0 T dynamic contrast-enhanced fat-suppressed T1-weighted fast spoiled gradient-echo., Assessment: Three radiologists blinded to pathology independently reviewed MRI features (distribution, internal enhancement pattern, and enhancement kinetics) of NME, locations relative to index cancers (contiguous, non-contiguous, and different quadrants), associated mammographic calcifications, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), axillary node metastasis, and radiology-pathology correlations. Clinical factors, NME features, and cancer characteristics were analyzed for associations with NME malignancy., Statistical Tests: Fisher's exact, Chi-square, Wilcoxon rank sum tests, and mixed-effect multivariable logistic regression were used. Significance threshold was set at P < 0.05., Results: Overall NME malignancy rate was 48.5% (49/101). Contiguous NME had a significantly higher malignancy rate (86.7%) than non-contiguous NME (25.0%) and NME in different quadrants (10.7%), but no significant difference was observed by distance from cancer for non-contiguous NME, P = 0.68. All calcified NME lesions contiguous to the calcified index cancer were malignant. NME was significantly more likely malignant when index cancers were masses compared to NME (52.9% vs. 21.4%), had mammographic calcifications (63.2% vs. 39.7%), LVI (81.8% vs. 44.4%), and axillary node metastasis (70.8% vs. 41.6%). NME features with highest PPVs were segmental distribution (85.7%), clumped enhancement (66.7%), and nonpersistent kinetics (77.1%). On multivariable analysis, contiguous NME, segmental distribution, and nonpersistent kinetics were associated with malignancy., Data Conclusion: Malignancy discriminators of ipsilateral NME on staging MRI included contiguous location to index cancers, segmental distribution, and nonpersistent kinetics., Evidence Level: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2., (© 2023 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

Objective: To compare imaging features of interval cancers detected in patients screened with full field digital mammography (FFDM) versus digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT)., Materials/methods: This retrospective observational study consisted of female patients undergoing screening DM or FFDM at an academic medical center and two outpatient imaging facilities between January 2012 and June 2017. A natural language processing algorithm queried breast imaging reports for breast density and BI-RADS category. This was cross-referenced to an institutional breast cancer registry to identify interval cancers. Retrospective consensus review of the cases was done to categorize imaging features of interval cancers on FFDM vs DBT., Results: The rate of interval cancers was comparable in patients screened with FFDM (30/39793) and DBT (29/32180) (p = 0.58). There was no significant difference in the rate, histopathology, or imaging features of interval cancers in patients screened with FFDM versus DBT. The most common mammographic features on diagnostic imaging across both groups was the presence of a mass (13/47). Almost equally common was negative diagnostic mammogram with mass detected only on ultrasound (11/47). The rate of interval cancers detected by high-risk surveillance breast MRI was increased in patients who previously had screening with DBT relative to those who had screening with FFDM (p = 0.0419)., Conclusion: There is no significant difference in rate of detection, histopathology, or imaging features of interval cancers in patients screened with FFDM versus DBT. However, across both cohorts, the most common features on diagnostic mammogram were either the presence of a mass or a negative mammogram., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We have no competing interests to declare., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

BACKGROUND. Intratumoral necrosis and peritumoral edema are features of aggressive breast cancer that may present as high T2 signal intensity (T2 SI). Implications of high T2 SI in HER2-positive cancers are unclear. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to assess associations with histopathologic characteristics of high peritumoral T2 SI and intratumoral T2 SI of HER2-positive breast cancer on MRI performed before initiation of neoadjuvant therapy. METHODS. This retrospective study included 210 patients (age, 24-82 years) with 211 HER2 breast cancers who, from January 1, 2015, to July 30, 2022, underwent breast MRI before receiving neoadjuvant therapy. Two radiologists independently assessed cancers for high peritumoral T2 SI and high intratumoral T2 SI on fat-suppressed T2-weighted imaging and classified patterns of high peritumoral T2 SI (adjacent to tumor vs prepectoral extension). A third radiologist resolved discrepancies. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify associations of high peritumoral and intratumoral T2 SI with histopathologic characteristics (associated ductal carcinoma in situ, hormone receptor status, histologic grade, lymphovascular invasion, and axillary lymph node metastasis). RESULTS. Of 211 HER2-positive cancers, 81 (38.4%) had high peritumoral T2 SI, and 95 (45.0%) had high intratumoral T2 SI. A histologic grade of 3 was independently associated with high peritumoral T2 SI (OR = 1.90; p = .04). Otherwise, none of the five assessed histopathologic characteristics were independently associated with high intratumoral T2 SI or high peritumoral T2 SI ( p > .05). Cancers with high T2 SI adjacent to the tumor ( n = 29) and cancers with high T2 SI with prepectoral extension ( n = 52) showed no significant difference in frequency for any of the histopathologic characteristics ( p > .05). Sensitivities and specificities for predicting the histopathologic characteristics ranged from 35.6% to 43.7% and from 59.7% to 70.7%, respectively, for high peritumoral T2 SI, and from 37.3% to 49.6% and from 49.3% to 62.7%, respectively, for high intratumoral T2 SI. Interreader agreement was almost perfect for high peritumoral T2 SI (Gwet agreement coefficient [AC] = 0.93), high intratumoral T2 SI (Gwet AC = 0.89), and a pattern of high peritumoral T2 SI (Gwet AC = 0.95). CONCLUSION. The only independent association between histopathologic characteristics and high T2 SI of HER2-positive breast cancer was observed between a histologic grade of 3 and high peritumoral T2 SI. CLINICAL IMPACT. In contrast with previously reported findings in broader breast cancer subtypes, peritumoral and intratumoral T2 SI had overall limited utility as prognostic markers of HER2-positive breast cancer.

Purpose: Axillary lymph nodes (LNs) with cortical thickness > 3 mm have a higher likelihood of malignancy. To examine the positive predictive value (PPV) of axillary LN cortical thickness in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, and nodal, clinical, and tumor characteristics associated with axillary LN metastasis., Methods: Retrospective review of axillary LN fine needle aspirations (FNAs) performed 1/1/2018-12/31/2019 included 135 axillary FNAs in 134 patients who underwent axillary surgery. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, histopathology, and imaging features were obtained from medical records. Hypothesis testing was performed to identify predictors of axillary LN metastasis., Results: Cytology was positive in 72/135 (53.3%), negative in 61/135 (45.2%), and non-diagnostic in 2/135 (1.5%). At surgery, histopathology was positive in 84 (62.2%) and negative in 51 (37.8%). LN cortices were thicker in metastatic compared to negative nodes (p < 0.0001). PPV of axillary LNs with cortical thickness ≥ 3 mm, ≥ 3.5 mm, ≥ 4 mm and, ≥ 4.25 mm was 0.62 [95% CI 0.53, 0.70], 0.63 [0.54, 0.72], 0.67 [0.57, 0.76] , and 0.74 [0.64, 0.83], respectively. At multivariable analysis, abnormal hilum (OR = 3.44, p = 0.016) and diffuse cortical thickening (OR = 2.86, p = 0.038) were associated with nodal metastasis., Conclusion: In newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, increasing axillary LN cortical thickness, abnormal fatty hilum, and diffuse cortical thickening are associated with nodal metastasis. PPV of axillary LN cortical thickness ≥ 3 mm and ≥ 3.5 mm is similar but increases for cortical thickness ≥ 4 mm. FNA of axillary LNs with cortex < 4 mm may be unnecessary for some patients undergoing sentinel LN biopsy., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) allows three-dimensional assessment of breast tissue; however, DBT requires a two-dimensional (2D) image for comparison with prior mammograms and accurate interpretation of calcifications. Traditionally, full-field digital mammography (FFDM) has been performed after the DBT image acquisition. Synthetic mammography (SM), the 2D reconstruction of the tomosynthesis slice dataset, has been designed to replace FFDM. Advantages of SM include decreased image acquisition time and decreased radiation exposure, with maintained or improved screening performance metrics. Because SM algorithms give extra weight to lesion-like characteristics (eg, calcifications and architectural distortions), they may enable increased visibility of these characteristics relative to that at FFDM. Although SM algorithms were designed to improve lesion identification, they have led to varied outcomes in studies reported in the literature. Compared with FFDM, SM has been reported to be associated with a higher false-positive rate for calcifications, decreased conspicuity of asymmetries, lower breast density assessments, and imaging artifacts (eg, metallic artifact, bright-band artifact, blurring of the axilla, and truncation artifact). The authors review the literature on SM, including its implementation, benefits, and artifacts. © RSNA, 2023 Quiz questions for this article are available through the Online Learning Center.

Women who are at high risk of developing breast cancer warrant screening that is often initiated at younger ages than in average-risk women; this is usually with a combination of annual mammography and breast MRI. Compared to average-risk women, those at high risk are more frequently recommended to undergo screening during childbearing age and thus potentially during pregnancy and lactation. Understanding the appropriate use of screening breast imaging during pregnancy and lactation can be challenging due to limited data defining the evidence-based roles of the different imaging modalities, including mammography, US, and MRI. There have also been assumptions about the diagnostic accuracy of these modalities secondary to physiological changes. This scientific review discusses the current state of evidence- and expert-based guidelines and data for breast imaging screening of high-risk pregnant and/or lactating women, and the clinical and imaging presentations of breast cancer for these women., (© Society of Breast Imaging 2023. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Purpose: To evaluate COVID-19's longitudinal impact on screening mammography volume trends., Methods: HIPAA-compliant, IRB-approved, single institution, retrospective study of screening mammogram volumes before (10/21/2016-3/16/2020) and greater than two years after (6/17/2020-11/30/2022) a state-mandated COVID-19 shutdown (3/17/2020-6/16/2020) were reviewed. A segmented quasi-poisson linear regression model adjusting for seasonality and network and regional population growth compared volume trends before and after the shutdown of each variable: age, race, language, financial source, risk factor for severe COVID-19, and examination location., Results: Adjusted model demonstrated an overall increase of 65 screening mammograms per month before versus a persistent decrease of 5 mammograms per month for >2 years after the shutdown (p < 0.0001). In subgroup analysis, downward volume trends were noted in all age groups <70 years (age < 50: +9/month before vs. -7/month after shutdown; age 50-60: +17 vs. -7; and age 60-70: +21 vs. -2; all p < 0.001), those identifying as White (+55 vs. -8, p < 0.0001) and Black (+4 vs. +1, p = 0.009), all financial sources (Medicare: +22 vs. -3, p < 0.0001; Medicaid: +5 vs. +2, p = 0.006; private insurance/self-pay: +38 vs. -4, p < 0.0001), women with at least one risk factor for severe COVID-19 (+30 vs. -48, p < 0.0001), and screening mammograms performed at a hospital-based location (+48 vs. -14, p = 0.0001)., Conclusion: The screening mammogram volume trend more than two years after the COVID-19 shutdown has continued to decline for most patient populations. Findings highlight the need to identify additional areas for education and outreach., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

BACKGROUND. Studies establishing the validity of BI-RADS category 3 excluded patients with personal history of breast cancer (PHBC). Use of category 3 in patients with PHBC may be impacted not only by this population's increased breast cancer risk, but also by adoption of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) over full-field digital mammography (FFDM). OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article was to compare the frequency, outcomes, and additional characteristics of BI-RADS category 3 assessments between FFDM and DBT in patients with PHBC. METHODS. This retrospective study included 14,845 mammograms in 10,118 patients (mean age, 63 years) with PHBC who had undergone mastectomy and/or lumpectomy. Of these, 8422 examinations were performed by FFDM from October 2014 to September 2016, and 6423 examinations by FFDM with DBT from February 2017 to December 2018, after interval conversion of the center's mammography units. Information was extracted from the EHR and radiology reports. FFDM and DBT groups were compared in the entire sample and among index category 3 lesions (i.e., earliest category 3 assessment per lesion). RESULTS. The frequency of category 3 assessment was lower for DBT than FFDM (5.6% vs 6.4%; p = .05). DBT, compared with FFDM, showed a lower malignancy rate for category 3 lesions (1.8% vs 5.0%; p = .04), higher malignancy rate for category 4 lesions (32.0% vs 23.2%; p = .03), and no difference in malignancy rate for category 5 lesions (100.0% vs 75.0%; p = .24). Analysis of index category 3 lesions included 438 and 274 lesions for FFDM and DBT, respectively. For category 3 lesions, DBT, compared with FFDM, showed lower PPV3 (13.9% vs 36.1%; p = .02) and a more frequent mammographic finding of mass (33.2% vs 23.1%; p = .003). CONCLUSION. The malignancy rate for category 3 lesions in patients with PHBC was less than the accepted limit (2%) for DBT (1.8%), but not FFDM (5.0%). A lower malignancy rate for category 3 lesions but higher malignancy rate for category 4 lesions for DBT supports more appropriate application of category 3 assessment in patients with PHBC through use of DBT. CLINICAL IMPACT. These insights may help establish whether category 3 assessments in patients with PHBC are within benchmarks for early detection of second cancers and reduction of benign biopsies.

Rationale and Objectives: Determine whether there are patterns of lesion recall among breast imaging subspecialists interpreting screening mammography, and if so, whether recall patterns correlate to morphologies of screen-detected cancers., Materials and Methods: This Institutional Review Board-approved, retrospective review included all screening examinations January 3, 2012-October 1, 2018 interpreted by fifteen breast imaging subspecialists at a large academic medical center and two outpatient imaging centers. Natural language processing identified radiologist recalls by lesion type (mass, calcifications, asymmetry, architectural distortion); proportions of callbacks by lesion types were calculated per radiologist. Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped radiologists based on recall patterns. Groups were compared to overall practice and each other by proportions of lesion types recalled, and overall and lesion-specific positive predictive value-1 (PPV1)., Results: Among 161,859 screening mammograms with 13,086 (8.1%) recalls, Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped 15 radiologists into five groups. There was substantial variation in proportions of lesions recalled: calcifications 13%-18% (Chi-square 45.69, p < 0.00001); mass 16%-44% (Chi-square 498.42, p < 0.00001); asymmetry 13%-47% (Chi-square 660.93, p < 0.00001) architectural distortion 6%-20% (Chi-square 283.81, p < 0.00001). Radiologist groups differed significantly in overall PPV1 (range 5.6%-8.8%; Chi-square 17.065, p = 0.0019). PPV1 by lesion type varied among groups: calcifications 9.2%-15.4% (Chi-square 2.56, p = 0.6339); mass 5.6%-8.5% (Chi-square 1.31, p = 0.8597); asymmetry 3.4%-5.9% (Chi-square 2.225, p = 0.6945); architectural distortion 5.6%-10.8% (Chi-square 5.810, p = 0.2138). Proportions of recalled lesions did not consistently correlate to proportions of screen-detected cancer., Conclusion: Breast imaging subspecialists have patterns for screening mammography recalls, suggesting differential weighting of imaging findings for perceived malignant potential. Radiologist recall patterns are not always predictive of screen-detected cancers nor lesion-specific PPV1s., (Copyright © 2022 The Association of University Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu or ErbB2)-positive breast cancers comprise 15%-20% of all breast cancers. The most common manifestation of HER2-positive breast cancer at mammography or US is an irregular mass with spiculated margins that often contains calcifications; at MRI, HER2-positive breast cancer may appear as a mass or as nonmass enhancement. HER2-positive breast cancers are often of intermediate to high nuclear grade at histopathologic analysis, with increased risk of local recurrence and metastases and poorer overall prognosis. However, treatment with targeted monoclonal antibody therapies such as trastuzumab and pertuzumab provides better local-regional control and leads to improved survival outcome. With neoadjuvant treatments, including monoclonal antibodies, taxanes, and anthracyclines, women are now potentially able to undergo breast conservation therapy and sentinel lymph node biopsy versus mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection. Thus, the radiologist's role in assessing the extent of local-regional disease and response to neoadjuvant treatment at imaging is important to inform surgical planning and adjuvant treatment. However, assessment of treatment response remains difficult, with the potential for different imaging modalities to result in underestimation or overestimation of disease to varying degrees when compared with surgical pathologic analysis. In particular, the presence of calcifications at mammography is especially difficult to correlate with the results of pathologic analysis after chemotherapy. Breast MRI findings remain the best predictor of pathologic response. The authors review the initial manifestations of HER2-positive tumors, the varied responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and the challenges in assessing residual cancer burden through a multimodality imaging review with pathologic correlation. © RSNA, 2023 Quiz questions for this article are available through the Online Learning Center.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare screening mammography performance metrics for immediate (live) interpretation versus offline interpretation at a cancer center., Methods: An institutional review board-approved, retrospective comparison of screening mammography metrics at a cancer center for January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019 (live period), and September 1, 2020, to March 31, 2022 (offline period), was performed. Before July 2020, screening examinations were interpreted while patients waited (live period), and diagnostic workup was performed concurrently. After the coronavirus disease 2019 shutdown from March to mid-June 2020, offline same-day interpretation was instituted. Patients with abnormal screening results returned for separate diagnostic evaluation. Screening metrics of positive predictive value 1 (PPV1), cancer detection rate (CDR), and abnormal interpretation rate (AIR) were compared for 17 radiologists who interpreted during both periods. Statistical significance was assessed using χ 2 analysis., Results: In the live period, there were 7,105 screenings, 635 recalls, and 51 screen-detected cancers. In the offline period, there were 7,512 screenings, 586 recalls, and 47 screen-detected cancers. Comparison of live screening metrics versus offline metrics produced the following results: AIR, 8.9% (635 of 7,105) versus 7.8% (586 of 7,512) (P = .01); PPV1, 8.0% (51 of 635) versus 8.0% (47 of 586); and CDR, 7.2/1,000 versus 6.3/1,000 (P = .50). When grouped by >10% AIR or <10% AIR for the live period, the >10% AIR group showed a significant decrease in AIR for offline interpretation (from 12.7% to 9.7%, P < .001), whereas the <10% AIR group showed no significant change (from 7.4% to 6.7%, P = .17)., Conclusions: Conversion to offline screening interpretation from immediate interpretation at a cancer center was associated with lower AIR and similar CDR and PPV1. This effect was seen largely in radiologists with AIR > 10% in the live setting., (Copyright © 2022 American College of Radiology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To determine the minimum number of stereotactic biopsy specimens containing calcifications sufficient for pathologic diagnosis and the minimum number of specimens containing calcifications sufficient for immunohistochemistry (IHC) in cases of malignancy., Methods: In this IRB-exempt quality assurance initiative, individual specimens from 126 patients with 129 calcified targets retrieved using a stereotactic system with real time specimen imaging were prospectively analyzed. Pathology was reported independently for each specimen containing calcifications. In every case, the pathologist reported which specimen containing calcifications was sufficient for diagnosis and, in cases of malignancy, which calcified specimen was sufficient for diagnosis and IHC., Results: A diagnosis was made from the first calcified specimen in 74% of cases (95/129), from the first two calcified specimens in 92% (119/129) of cases, and from the first three calcified specimens in 100% of cases. Pathology was benign in 66% (85/129) of cases, with the diagnosis made from the first calcified specimen in 78% (66/85) of cases. High-risk lesions were the primary pathology in 8% (11/129) of cases, with 55% (6/11) diagnosed from the first calcified specimen. Pathology was malignant in 26% (33/129) of cases. The first calcified specimen was sufficient for diagnosis and IHC in 73% (24/33) of malignancies and the first three calcified specimens were sufficient for diagnosis and IHC in all cases of malignancy., Conclusion: Three cores verified to contain calcifications on real time specimen imaging were sufficient to make a diagnosis in all cases and to make a diagnosis and obtain IHC in nearly all cases of malignancy., (© Society of Breast Imaging 2022. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Objective: To evaluate the impact of a new electronic procedural protocol on start times of pre-operative breast localization procedures., Methods: This HIPAA-compliant, Institutional Review Board-exempted, quality improvement initiative was performed at a large tertiary academic center. In May 2018, an electronic version of the pre-procedure protocol for breast localizations was created within the electronic health record; prior to this time, the protocol was completed manually on a paper form. Mean time between: (1) appointment time and procedure start time, (2) procedure begin-to-end time, and (3) arrival to appointment time were compared for all female patients undergoing pre-operative breast localization procedures during 4-month periods pre-implementation of the electronic procedural protocol (January-April 2018), and post-implementation (June-September 2018), excluding the May 2018 implementation month. Statistical analysis was done by two tailed t-test and statistical process control charting., Results: Pre-implementation, 427 procedures were performed, and post-implementation 409 procedures were performed. Three pre-implementation cases performed more than 3 hours prior to appointment time were excluded (presumed to be rescheduled cases). Mean time between appointment time and procedure start time decreased from 2.7 minutes after to 5.6 minutes before appointment start time, an 8.3-minute improvement (P = 0.0001), with sustained improvement by statistical process control analysis. Mean time for procedure length increased by 4.7 minutes (P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in mean time of patient arrival to appointment time pre- and post-implementation., Conclusion: Implementation of an electronic protocol process for pre-operative breast localizations was associated with a significant and sustained reduction in time between appointment time and procedure start time., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of an electronic workflow update on screening mammography turnaround time and time to diagnostic imaging for mammography performed on our urban mobile mammography van and at an urban community health center., Method: Prior to 10/15/2019, screening exams for the mammography van and urban community health center were made available for interpretation to a single designated radiologist via a manually generated paper list. On 10/15/2019, screening exams were routed electronically onto PACS for any breast radiologist across our Network to interpret. Screening mammogram turnaround time (defined as time form image acquisition to report finalization), time to diagnostic imaging, and time to tissue sampling were collected for pre- and post-implementation periods (6/1-9/30/2019 and 11/1/2019-2/29/2020, respectively) and compared via student t-test and statistical process control analyses., Results: The number of screening exams in the pre- and post-implementation periods were 851 and 728 exams, respectively. Patients were predominately Black and/or African American (400/1579, 25%), non-English speaking (858/1579, 54%) and insured by Medicaid (751/1579, 48%). After implementation of the electronic workflow, turnaround time decreased from 101.0 to 36.4 hours (63.9%, P <0.001) and statistical process control analyses showed sustained decrease in mean turnaround time. However, mean time to diagnostic imaging and tissue sampling were unchanged after implementation (39 vs 45, days; P = 0.330 and 43 vs 59; P = 0.187, respectively)., Conclusion: Electronic workflow management can reduce screening mammography turnaround time for underserved populations, but additional efforts are warranted to improve time to imaging follow-up for abnormal screening mammograms., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Based on modern series demonstrating low upgrade rates for pure lobular neoplasia (LN) diagnosed on core needle biopsy (CNB), our institution no longer recommends routine excision, provided imaging is concordant. This study describes outcomes in patients managed without surgical excision., Methods: From an institutional database, we identified all patients with a diagnosis of pure atypical lobular hyperplasia and/or classic lobular carcinoma in situ on CNB managed without surgical excision (i.e., conservative management) from 2015 to 2019. The primary outcome of interest was failure of conservative management, defined as development of ipsilateral same-quadrant ductal carcinoma in situ or invasive breast cancer within 2 years of CNB, or need for ipsilateral same-quadrant excisional biopsy. We also evaluated rates of ipsilateral same-quadrant CNB during follow-up., Results: Among 96 pure LN lesions on CNB since 2015, 80 (83%) were managed without surgical excision. Median follow-up was 27 months (IQR: 16-28), with only 2 (2%) patients lost to follow-up. No patients developed an ipsilateral, same-quadrant breast cancer. The 3-year risk of conservative management failure was 6.2% (95% CI 2.3-15.7%). All failures were a result of need for excisional biopsy due to progressive imaging abnormalities at the initial CNB site, with benign final pathology. The 3-year risk of ipsilateral same-quadrant CNB was 9.2% (95% CI 3.8-21.5%)., Conclusion: Non-surgical management of pure LN is safe, and the likelihood of requiring subsequent surgical excision or repeat CNB during follow-up is low. These data provide reassurance that routine excision of pure LN in the setting of radiologic-pathologic concordance is not required., (© 2021. Society of Surgical Oncology.)

Purpose: To identify patient characteristics associated with screening mammography cancellations and rescheduling during the COVID-19 pandemic., Methods: Scheduled screening mammograms during three time periods were retrospectively reviewed: state-mandated shutdown (3/17/2020-6/16/2020) during which screening mammography was cancelled, a period of 2 months immediately after screening mammography resumed (6/17/2020-8/16/2020), and a representative period prior to COVID-19 (6/17/2019-8/16/2019). Relative risk of cancellation before COVID-19 and after reopening was compared for age, race/ethnicity, insurance, history of chronic disease, and exam location, controlling for other collected variables. Risk of failure to reschedule was similarly compared between all 3 time periods., Results: Overall cancellation rate after reopening was higher than before shutdown (7663/16595, 46% vs 5807/15792, 37%; p < 0.001). Relative risk of cancellation after reopening increased with age (1.20 vs 1.27 vs 1.36 for ages at 25th, 50th, and 75th quartile or 53, 61, and 70 years, respectively, p < 0.001). Relative risk of cancellation was also higher among Medicare patients (1.41) compared to Medicaid and those with other providers (1.26 and 1.21, respectively, p < 0.001) and non-whites compared to whites (1.34 vs 1.25, p = 0.03). Rescheduling rate during shutdown was higher than before COVID-19 and after reopening for all patients (10,658/13593, 78%, 3569/5807, 61%, and 4243/7663, respectively, 55%, p < 0.001). Relative risk of failure to reschedule missed mammogram was higher in hospitals compared to outpatient settings both during shutdown and after reopening (0.62 vs 0.54, p = 0.005 and 1.29 vs 1.03, p < 0.001, respectively)., Conclusion: Minority race/ethnicity, Medicare insurance, and advanced age were associated with increased risk of screening mammogram cancellation during COVID-19., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To review MRI findings of pure lobular neoplasia (LN) on MRI guided biopsy, evaluate surgical and clinical outcomes, and assess imaging findings predictive of upgrade to malignancy., Methods: HIPAA compliant, IRB-approved retrospective review of our MRI-guided breast biopsy database from October 2008-January 2015. Biopsies yielding atypical lobular hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ were included in the analysis; all biopsy slides were reviewed by a dedicated breast pathologist. Imaging indications, MRI findings, and histopathology were reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed using the two-tailed Fisher exact-test and the t-test, and 95% CIs were determined. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: Database search yielded 943 biopsies in 785 patients of which 65/943 (6.9%) reported LN as the highest risk pathologic lesion. Of 65 cases, 32 were found to have LN as the dominant finding on pathology and constituted the study population. All 32 findings were mammographically and sonographically occult. Three of 32 (9.3%) cases of lobular neoplasia were upgraded to malignancy, all LCIS (one pleomorphic and two classical). The most common MRI finding was focal, heterogenous non-mass enhancement with low T2 signal. No clinical features or imaging findings were predictive of upgrade to malignancy., Conclusion: Incidence of pure lobular neoplasia on MRI guided biopsy is low, with comparatively low incidence of upgrade to malignancy. No imaging or clinical features are predictive of upgrade on surgical excision, therefore, prudent radiologic-pathologic correlation is necessary., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

BACKGROUND. Patients with a history of breast cancer are at higher risk of subsequent breast cancers and need close clinical and imaging follow-up. Limited data are available on screening of these patients with digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) versus full-field digital mammography (FFDM). OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the screening mammography performance of DBT compared with FFDM among patients with a history of breast cancer undergoing imaging at a large academic oncology center. METHODS. This retrospective study included consecutively registered patients with a personal history of breast cancer treated with mastectomy or lumpectomy who underwent screening FFDM from October 2014 through September 2016 (5706 examinations of 4091 patients) or screening DBT from February 2017 through December 2018 (4440 examinations of 3647 patients). An institutional mammographic database was queried to obtain imaging type, breast density, history of mastectomy or lumpectomy, and BI-RADS category. An institutional breast cancer registry identified cancer diagnoses. Screening performance metrics were compared between FFDM and DBT groups. RESULTS. Recall rate was significantly lower with DBT than with FFDM (7.9% vs 10.1%; p < .001). DBT and FFDM did not differ in PPV1 (7.7% vs 6.1%; p = .36) or cancer detection rate (CDR) (6.1/1000 vs 6.0/1000; p = .97). Sensitivity was 96.4% for DBT and 71.4% for FFDM ( p = .008). Specificity was 92.3% for DBT and 90.0% for FFDM ( p < .001). With stratification by breast density, patients with nondense breast tissue had a lower recall rate with DBT than with FFDM (5.9% vs 8.8%; p < .001) and a nonsignificant increase in PPV1 (12.0% vs 6.4%; p = .05). The metrics were not otherwise different between DBT and FFDM among patients with nondense and those with dense breast tissue. Recall rates were lower with DBT than with FFDM among both patients who underwent mastectomy (7.8% vs 9.1%; p = .09) and those who underwent lumpectomy (7.9% vs 11.0%; p = .002). PPV1 and CDR were not different between DBT and FFDM among patients who underwent mastectomy and those who underwent lumpectomy. CONCLUSION. For patients with a personal history of breast cancer who have nondense breasts, the use of DBT as opposed to FFDM reduces recall rate and improves sensitivity and specificity. CDR and PPV1 remain unchanged. CLINICAL IMPACT. For women with a personal history of breast cancer and nondense breasts, DBT offers the potential to maintain the benefits of early cancer detection while reducing the potential harms of false-positive findings.

Vaccination-associated adenopathy is a frequent imaging finding after administration of COVID-19 vaccines that may lead to a diagnostic conundrum in patients with manifest or suspected cancer, in whom it may be indistinguishable from malignant nodal involvement. To help the medical community address this concern in the absence of studies and evidence-based guidelines, this special report offers recommendations developed by a multidisciplinary panel of experts from three of the leading tertiary care cancer centers in the United States. According to these recommendations, some routine imaging examinations, such as those for screening, should be scheduled before or at least 6 weeks after the final vaccination dose to allow for any reactive adenopathy to resolve. However, there should be no delay of other clinically indicated imaging (eg, for acute symptoms, short-interval treatment monitoring, urgent treatment planning or complications) due to prior vaccination. The vaccine should be administered on the side contralateral to the primary or suspected cancer, and both doses should be administered in the same arm. Vaccination information-date(s) administered, injection site(s), laterality, and type of vaccine-should be included in every preimaging patient questionnaire, and this information should be made readily available to interpreting radiologists. Clear and effective communication between patients, radiologists, referring physician teams, and the general public should be considered of the highest priority when managing adenopathy in the setting of COVID-19 vaccination., (© RSNA, 2021.)

Objective: To compare lesion conspicuity on synthetic screening mammography (SM) plus digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) versus full field digital mammography (FFDM) plus DBT., Materials and Methods: Seven breast imagers each prospectively evaluated 107-228 screening mammograms (FFDM, DBT, and SM; total 1206 examinations) over 12 weeks in sets of 10-50 consecutive examinations. Interpretation sessions alternated as follows: SM + DBT, then FFDM, or FFDM + DBT, then SM. Lesion conspicuity on SM versus FFDM (equal/better versus less) was assessed using proportions with 95% confidence intervals. DBT-only findings were excluded., Results: Overall 1082 of 1206 (89.7%) examinations were assessed BI-RADS 1/2, and 124 of 1206 (10.3%) assessed BI-RADS 0. There were 409 evaluated findings, including 134 masses, 119 calcifications, 72 asymmetries, 49 architectural distortion, and 35 focal asymmetries. SM conspicuity compared to FFDM conspicuity for lesions was rated 1) masses: 77 (57%) equal or more conspicuous, 57 (43%) less conspicuous; 2) asymmetries/focal asymmetries: 61 (57%) equal or more conspicuous, and 46 (43%) less conspicuous; 3) architectural distortion: 46 (94%) equal or more conspicuous, 3 (6%) less conspicuous; 4) calcifications: 115 (97%) equal or more conspicuous, 4 (3%) less conspicuous. SM had better conspicuity than FFDM for calcifications and architectural distortion and similar conspicuity for most masses and asymmetries., Conclusion: Compared to FFDM, SM has better conspicuity for calcifications and architectural distortion and similar conspicuity for most masses and asymmetries., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Rationale and Objectives: To evaluate conspicuity of screen-detected cancers on two-dimensional synthetic mammography (SM) reconstructed from digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) compared to two-dimensional full field digital mammography (FFDM)., Materials and Methods: IRB-approved retrospective review of consecutive screen-detected cancers from October 1, 2015 to June 30, 2017 was performed. All examinations were reviewed by three radiologists in consensus (n = 224); a score of 1-3 was given to each screen-detected cancer on SM vs. FFDM [1 = FFDM more conspicuous than SM, 2 = FFDM equivalent to SM, and 3 = SM more conspicuous than FFDM]. Findings considered only visible on tomosynthesis (n = 40), without medical history (n = 2), and with skin thickening only (n = 1) were excluded, leaving 181 cases as the study population. The longitudinal medical record was reviewed to determine patient demographics and outcomes of imaging surveillance and biopsy., Results: Mammographic features on SM (n = 181) were calcifications (n = 68, 37.8%), masses (n = 51, 27.8%), asymmetries (n = 50, 27.6% [11 focal asymmetries]), and distortion (n = 12, 6.8%). The majority (76%, 137/181) of findings were equal or more conspicuous on SM vs. FFDM. However, calcifications and distortion greater than 2 cm were more conspicuous on SM and asymmetries were less conspicuous on SM vs. FFDM, controlling for menopausal status, family or personal history of breast cancer, BRCA status, and breast density., Conclusion: Although the majority of screen-detected cancers are equal to more conspicuous on SM when compared to FFDM, calcifications and asymmetries <2cm were less conspicuous on SM than FFDM. When SM + DBT is used as an alternative to FFDM + DBT in breast cancer screening, caution should be taken when assessing one-view asymmetries and findings <2cm on SM., (Copyright © 2019 The Association of University Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To describe a residency retreat curriculum established to improve wellness and reduce burnout within a radiology residency., Methods: A wellness retreat was created and implemented within a large academic medical center's radiology residency. The retreat curriculum was designed by a Radiology Residency Wellness Committee and was supported by departmental funding. The retreat curriculum centered on 3 strategies for success: teambuilding and bonding, Design Thinking, and guided reflection. A questionnaire was distributed at the end of the retreat, asking 12 questions in 5-point Likert format to assess resident satisfaction with different components of the retreat, as well as open-ended questions to more deeply assess the effects of the retreat on the residency experience and personal wellness in our radiology residency. Questionnaire results were summarized using frequency and percentages. Open-ended responses were qualitatively analyzed using the constant comparative method., Results: Thirty-seven of 41 residents (90%) in our radiology residency participated in the retreat. Thirty-five of the 37 residents (95%) participated in the postretreat questionnaire, with 33 of 37 residents (89%) completing the entire questionnaire. Thirty-two of 33 responders (97%) anticipated the retreat would improve their residency experience, and 27 of 33 responders (82%) indicated the retreat would improve their personal wellness. Based upon the open-ended responses, improved camaraderie was the major benefit of the retreat cited by the majority of residents., Conclusion: A departmentally sponsored radiology residency retreat may improve personal wellness and reduce burnout., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A nonmass finding at US has been described as a discrete identifiable area of altered echotexture compared with that of the surrounding breast tissue that does not conform to a mass shape. Recognizing nonmass findings is important because breast cancer can manifest as such lesions, and US correlate findings for mammographic and breast MRI abnormalities may manifest as nonmass findings. The term nonmass finding is not part of the current Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System US terminology, and no standardized approach to classify and evaluate nonmass findings at US currently exists, despite the various classification systems proposed in the literature. There is also considerable overlap between the sonographic features of benign and malignant causes of nonmass findings. These limitations cause diagnostic difficulty in evaluating clinical significance and recommending appropriate management. The authors review the definitions and classification systems of US nonmass findings proposed in the literature and illustrate the sonographic features of nonmass findings to help radiologists identify them at US. A range of benign and malignant causes of nonmass findings are reviewed, and sonographic-histopathologic correlations of nonmass findings are discussed. Cases of breast MRI and mammographic findings that may manifest as US nonmass findings are presented. Radiologists can improve detection and interpretative accuracy, as well as correlation of mammographic and MRI breast lesions, by increasing their recognition and understanding of nonmass findings at US. © RSNA, 2020.

Aim: To determine the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-directed breast ultrasound and subsequent ultrasound-guided biopsy, and to evaluate patient and lesion factors associated with the detection of an ultrasound correlate for MRI findings., Materials and Methods: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant, institutional review board-approved retrospective review of 7,332 consecutive contrast-enhanced MRI examinations from 1 January 2009 to 30 March 2012 was performed to identify MRI-detected lesions that underwent MRI-directed ultrasound, ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsy (USG-CNB), and follow-up MRI after benign biopsy. Examinations were reviewed in consensus. USG-CNB was considered accurate if the biopsy clip was within 1 cm of the MRI lesion on follow-up MRI. Medical records were reviewed for histopathology, patient demographics, and follow-up imaging., Results: MRI-directed ultrasound was performed on 522 patients with MRI-detected findings. A presumed ultrasound correlate was identified in 298 cases and 221 (73.4%) underwent biopsy. Follow-up MRI after USG-CNB was performed for 90 benign concordant biopsied lesions. Seven lesions were excluded because the biopsy marker was not visible on the subsequent MRI examination. Of the remaining 83 lesions, the biopsy marker was accurate in 72 (87%) lesions on follow-up MRI and 11 were considered inaccurate (13%). Of these 11 lesions, five were considered benign based on stability/resolution at follow-up MRI, while six underwent subsequent tissue diagnosis (mean time to tissue diagnosis: 13 months), with 1/6 (16.7%) malignancies., Conclusion: Although MRI-directed ultrasound is a reliable and accurate method to evaluate MRI findings, a 13% inaccuracy rate for MRI-directed ultrasound-guided biopsy was found. Therefore, for cases with uncertain MRI-directed ultrasound correlation, MRI-guided biopsy should be performed for accurate and timely diagnosis., (Copyright © 2019 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of an information technology-enabled quality improvement initiative on timeliness of patient contact and scheduling of screening mammography recall. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study was conducted in a screening practice (two ambulatory centers, A and B; two hospitals, C and D) that uses offline batch results (A, B, C) and same-day results (D) with on-site (A, C, D) or off-site (B) coordinators scheduling recalls. Before the intervention, radiologists at sites A, B, and C conveyed recalls via paper lists to coordinators after batch interpretation. At site D, coordinators received recall lists several times a day. In March 2017 an electronic alert system was implemented to notify coordinators of recall at report signing with required closed-loop acknowledgment once recall was scheduled. Mean time (hours, excluding weekends) to schedule diagnostic evaluation was compared for 4-month periods before and after intervention by two-tailed t test and statistical process control analyses. RESULTS. Recall rates were 9.5% (1356/14,315) before and 8.9% (1432/16,034) after the intervention ( p = 0.10). Mean time to schedule screening decreased after the intervention as follows: site A from 86 to 65 hours (-24.4%, p = 0.01); site B, 116 to 70 hours (-39.7%, p < 0.0001); site C, 98 to 65 hours (-33.7%, p = 0.002); and site D, 49 to 42 hours (-14.3%, p = 0.21). Statistical process control analysis showed significant sustained improvements at sites A, B, and C in mean time to patient contact and scheduling of diagnostic evaluation. CONCLUSION. An information technology-enabled quality improvement initiative to notify coordinators of screening recalls in real time with required patient contact and scheduling acknowledgment reduced time to diagnostic scheduling in a multisite practice. The greatest impact was found at the site with off-site coordinators, the least at the site performing same-day interpretation.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to examine the frequency and outcomes of short interval imaging follow up of benign, concordant breast MRI biopsies and review the published literature on this topic., Materials and Methods: This was an IRB-approved, HIPAA compliant retrospective review of women undergoing MRI-guided breast biopsies between October 1, 2008 and December 31, 2014. Patients with malignant or high risk lesions with recommendation for excision, discordant cases, and those undergoing breast conservation therapy in same quadrant, chemotherapy or mastectomy were excluded. At least 2 years imaging and/or clinical follow-up without development of cancer in the same quadrant as the biopsy was set as the benchmark to confirm benign etiology. A PubMed search of similar articles through 2018 was also performed for the literature review., Results: 943 consecutive MRI-guided biopsies were performed in 785 women. Of these, 378/943 (40.1%) were benign and met inclusion criteria. Eleven cases were recommended for and underwent repeat MRI-guided biopsy or excision, 2 of which were malignant. The overall false negative rate for benign concordant MRI-guided biopsy was 2/378, 0.5% (95% CI 0.02 to 2.0%). Literature search demonstrated five articles with similar methodologies yielding 628 additional cases of benign concordant breast biopsies. Nine of these cases were eventually diagnosed as malignancy with a false negative rate of 1.4%. Combined with our data, the overall false negative rate is 1.1%., Conclusions: Short interval follow-up exams for benign concordant MRI-guided breast biopsies may not be necessary given the low malignancy rate., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Increased attention to quality and safety has led to a re-evaluation of the classic apprenticeship model for procedural training. Many have proposed simulation as a supplementary teaching tool. The purpose of this study was to assess radiology resident exposure to procedural training and procedural simulation., Materials and Methods: An IRB-exempt online survey was distributed to current radiology residents in the United States by e-mail. Survey results were summarized using frequency and percentages. Chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis where appropriate., Results: A total of 353 current residents completed the survey. 37% (n = 129/353) of respondents had never used procedure simulation. Of the residents who had used simulation, most did not do so until after having already performed procedures on patients (59%, n = 132/223). The presence of a dedicated simulation center was reported by over half of residents (56%, n = 196/353) and was associated with prior simulation experience (P = 0.007). Residents who had not had procedural simulation were somewhat likely or highly likely (3 and 4 on a 4-point Likert-scale) to participate if it were available (81%, n = 104/129). Simulation training was associated with higher comfort levels in performing procedures (P < 0.001)., Conclusions: Although procedural simulation training is associated with higher comfort levels when performing procedures, there is variable use in radiology resident training and its use is not currently optimized. Given the increased emphasis on patient safety, these results suggest the need to increase procedural simulation use during residency, including an earlier introduction to simulation before patient exposure., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Our goal was to determine outcomes of screening breast MRI in patients with prior history of atypia or lobular neoplasia (LN). Review of the MRI data base revealed 264/7482 (3.5%) screening MRIs in 145 patients with history of atypia or LN. Overall, 39/264 (14.7%) received an abnormal interpretation, with 7.2% BI-RADS 4 and 5 (19/264) and 7.6% BI-RADS 3 (20/264). PPV1 was 38.4% (six cancers in 39 BI-RADS 3, 4, 5); PPV3 was 28.5% (six cancers in 21 biopsies). Screening breast MRI use in this population is low (3.5%), although PPVs are comparable to other high-risk groups for which breast MRI is recommended., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Distinguishing breast hematologic malignancies in core needle biopsies from other entities can be challenging. Misclassification as a breast carcinoma could result in inappropriate treatment. The aim of this study was to characterize the types, incidence, and helpful diagnostic features of hematologic malignancies of the breast., Design: All hematologic malignancies of the breast diagnosed at our institution from 2004 to 2017 were identified. Clinical notes, imaging, and slides were reviewed. Immunohistochemical analysis of estrogen receptor α (ERα), estrogen receptor β (ERβ), and androgen receptor (AR) was performed when tissue was available., Results: In all, 43 hematologic malignancies from biopsies of 37 women and 6 men were identified. Core needle biopsies (35 or 81%) were more common than excisions (8 or 19%). For 14 patients (40%), the core biopsy was the first diagnosis of a hematologic malignancy. Diagnoses included 37 lymphomas (7 primary), 4 leukemias, and 2 myelomas. There was 1 misdiagnosis of carcinoma. Low positivity for hormone receptors was observed in a minority of lymphomas. A definitive diagnosis of hematologic malignancy was made in 31 (89%) of the core needle biopsies. Only 3 patients undergoing core biopsy required excision for diagnosis., Conclusions: Most of the hematologic malignancies of the breast are currently diagnosed on core needle biopsy and 40% of patients do not have a prior history. To avoid errors, pathologists need to be aware of diagnostic features and morphologic mimics. A hematologic malignancy should be considered if tumor cells are discohesive, carcinoma in situ is absent, and hormone expression is low or absent., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interests:The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Breast cancer is an increasing challenge in developed and limited resource areas of the world. Early detection of breast cancer offers the best chance for optimal care and best outcomes. A critical step in early detection is to obtain efficient and accurate tissue diagnoses. Although image-guided core needle breast biopsies are usually straightforward for experienced breast imagers, there are some not uncommon scenarios that present particular challenges. In this review article we will discuss these difficult situations and offer our tried and true methods to ensure safe and successful biopsies, while using stereotactic, ultrasound, and MRI guidance., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The purpose of this study is to review the ultrasound (US) features of developing asymmetries and correlate them with histopathologic findings., Materials and Methods: We searched the mammography database of an academic medical center, affiliated cancer center, and two ambulatory imaging facilities from 2009 to 2012 and identified 201 patients with developing asymmetries, 187 of whom had US at the time of, or within 1 month of, diagnostic mammography evaluation. Seventy-five (40.1%) of these 187 patients had a US correlate, and three additional patients had a positive second-look US after MRI (US results were initially negative), and one patient had a US correlate for a newly palpable developing asymmetry 1 month after receiving a BI-RADS category 3 mammography-only assessment. These 78 developing asymmetries with US correlates comprised the study cases. US features were obtained by consensus image review; patient demographic characteristics and outcomes were obtained from the electronic medical record., Results: Thirty-six of 78 US correlates (46.2%) were masses, the echotexture of which was as follows: 26 (72.2%) were hypoechoic, four (11.1%) were hyperechoic, three (8.3%) were mixed hyperechoic and hypoechoic, and three (8.3%) were anechoic. Forty-two of 78 US correlates (53.8%) were nonmass findings, the echotexture of which was as follows: 24 (57.1%) were mixed hyperechoic and hypoechoic, 13 (31.0%) were hypoechoic, and five (11.9%) were hyperechoic. Twenty-one of 78 lesions (26.9%) were malignant; of these, eight were invasive ductal carcinoma, seven were invasive lobular carcinoma, three were mixed invasive ductal and lobular carcinoma, and three were ductal carcinoma in situ. Malignant findings on US included 17 masses (81.0%) (13 hypoechoic and four mixed hyperechoic and hypoechoic), and four nonmass findings (19.0%) (three mixed hyperechoic and hypoechoic and one hypoechoic)., Conclusion: When present, US correlates for developing asymmetries are often nonmass findings with mixed echotexture. Most malignant developing asymmetries with US correlates present as a hypoechoic mass, but 19% present as a nonmass finding with either mixed hyperechoic and hypoechoic echotexture or hypoechoic echotexture.

Purpose: To identify breast MR imaging biomarkers to predict histologic grade and receptor status of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)., Materials and Methods: Informed consent was waived in this Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant Institutional Review Board-approved study. Case inclusion was conducted from 7332 consecutive breast MR studies from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2012. Excluding studies with benign diagnoses, studies without visible abnormal enhancement, and pathology containing invasive disease yielded 55 MR-imaged pathology-proven DCIS seen on 54 studies. Twenty-eight studies (52%) were performed at 1.5 Tesla (T); 26 (48%) at 3T. Regions-of-interest representing DCIS were segmented for precontrast, first and fourth postcontrast, and subtracted first and fourth postcontrast images on the open-source three-dimensional (3D) Slicer software. Fifty-seven metrics of each DCIS were obtained, including distribution statistics, shape, morphology, Renyi dimensions, geometrical measure, and texture, using the 3D Slicer HeterogeneityCAD module. Statistical correlation of heterogeneity metrics with DCIS grade and receptor status was performed using univariate Mann-Whitney test., Results: Twenty-four of the 55 DCIS (44%) were high nuclear grade (HNG); 44 (80%) were estrogen receptor (ER) positive. Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) was amplified in 10/55 (18%), nonamplified in 34/55 (62%), unknown/equivocal in 8/55 (15%). Surface area-to-volume ratio showed significant difference (P < 0.05) between HNG and non-HNG DCIS. No metric differentiated ER status (0.113 < p ≤ 1.000). Seventeen metrics showed significant differences between HER2-positive and HER2-negative DCIS (0.016 < P < 0.050)., Conclusion: Quantitative heterogeneity analysis of DCIS suggests the presence of MR imaging biomarkers in classifying DCIS grade and HER2 status. Validation with larger samples and prospective studies is needed to translate these results into clinical applications., Level of Evidence: 3 Technical Efficacy: Stage 3 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:1748-1759., (© 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the frequency of reclassification of nonmass enhancement (NME) as background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) and to determine positive predictive values (PPVs) of NME descriptors using the revised BI-RADS atlas., Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of our institution's MRI database from January 1, 2009, through March 30, 2012, identified 6220 contrast-enhanced breast MRI examinations. All findings prospectively assessed as NME and rated as BI-RADS categories 3, 4, and 5 (n = 386) were rereviewed in consensus by two radiologists who were blinded to pathologic findings with the fifth edition of the BI-RADS lexicon. Findings considered as postsurgical, associated with known cancers, NME given a BI-RADS category 3 assessment before 2009, previously biopsied, and those reclassified as BPE, focus, or mass were excluded (n = 181). Medical records were reviewed for demographics and outcomes., Results: Two hundred five women were included (mean age, 48.8 years; range, 21-84 years). Seventy-seven of 386 findings (20.0%) were reclassified as BPE, and patients with BPE were younger than those with NME (mean age, 43.9 years; range, 31-62 years) (p = 0.003). Pathology results for 144 of 205 (70.2%) patients included 52 malignant, 11 high-risk, and 81 benign lesions. The highest PPVs for distribution patterns were 34.5% (10/29) for segmental and 100.0% (3/3) for diffuse distribution. The highest PPVs for internal enhancement patterns were 36.7% (11/30) for clustered ring enhancement and 27.5% (11/40) for clumped enhancement. No difference for NME malignancy rate was noted according to BPE (10/52 [19.2%] marked or moderate; 42/153 [27.5%] mild or minimal, p = 0.24). Thirty-two percent (17/52) of malignant NMEs had high T2 signal., Conclusion: Careful assessment of findings as BPE versus NME can improve PPVs, particularly in younger women. Although clustered ring enhancement had one of the study's highest PPVs, this number falls below previously published rates. Reliance on T2 signal as a benign feature may be misleading, because one-third of malignancies had T2 signal.

Synthetic mammography (SM) consists of two-dimensional images reconstructed from digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) data. Unlike standard full-field digital mammography (FFDM), SM does not require additional radiation exposure. SM is being introduced in breast imaging centers because early clinical data demonstrate that synthetic images are comparable to FFDM in cancer detection, positive predictive values, and recall rates. SM has completely replaced FFDM in some practices. Thus, an understanding of SM and its strengths and weaknesses compared with those of FFDM is essential. The artifacts of SM include blurring subcutaneous tissue, loss of resolution in the axilla on mediolateral oblique views, pseudocalcifications, and decreased resolution near foreign bodies (eg, biopsy markers). SM's strengths include a reduced radiation dose, shorter acquisition time compared with a combined FFDM/DBT screening examination (with potentially less motion artifact), and increased conspicuity of calcifications, spiculated margins, and architectural distortion. The weaknesses of SM include the potential for false positives due to pseudocalcifications and the difficulty in assessing for motion artifact. This article reviews SM and its role in screening and presents clinical cases to highlight SM's strengths, weaknesses, and artifacts. © RSNA, 2017.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical utility of breast MRI for diagnosing malignancy in women with equivocal mammographic findings but no symptoms., Materials and Methods: Retrospective review of an institutional MRI database of 7332 contrast-enhanced breast MRI examinations from January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2012, yielded the records of 296 (4.0%) examinations of 294 women without symptoms who underwent MRI for mammographic findings uncertain at diagnostic evaluation. Imaging findings, histopathologic results, and patient demographics were obtained from the electronic medical record., Results: The mean patient age was 55 years (range, 29-83 years). Mammographic lesion type (n = 294) included 89 focal asymmetries, 76 asymmetries, 64 masses, 44 architectural distortions, 17 surgical scar versus lesion, and four miscellaneous lesions. Diagnostic ultrasound, performed on 286 of 294 (97.3%) lesions at mammographic evaluation, showed an ultrasound correlate in 37 (12.9%) lesions, equivocal correlate in 48 (16.8%), and no ultrasound correlate in 201 (70.3%). MRI examination of 294 index lesions showed a correlate in 133 (45.2%) and no correlate in 161 (54.8%). Forty of 294 (13.6%) index lesions were malignant, 37 (92.5%) with an MRI correlate and three (7.5%) without an MRI correlate. Among 250 patients who underwent biopsy or had 2 or more years of imaging stability, the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of breast MRI for malignancy were 92.5%, 62.4%, 97.8%, and 31.9%. Forty-four of 294 (15.0%) patients had lesions incidentally found at MRI; 7 of 41 (17.1%) lesions that were biopsied or were stable for at least 1 year were malignant., Conclusion: Problem-solving breast MRI for inconclusive mammographic findings helps identify malignancies with high sensitivity and a high negative predictive value.

Image-guided breast biopsy with stereotactic, ultrasonographic, or magnetic resonance imaging guidance has become an integral component of every breast imaging program. It has many advantages over open surgical biopsy, including lower cost, lower patient morbidity, faster patient recovery, and minimal to no scarring, with equal accuracy to that of open surgical biopsy. Successful completion of a breast biopsy begins with thorough preprocedural planning to choose the appropriate imaging modality and most efficient biopsy approach. Patient mental and physical comorbidities, anticoagulation status, small or thin breasts, and breast implants, as well as lesion conspicuity and posterior, superficial, axillary, or subareolar location, pose technical challenges to successful image-guided breast biopsy that must be overcome. When biopsy is performed with use of a different imaging modality than that used to initially identify the target, careful preprocedural multimodality radiologic correlation, postprocedural identification of the biopsy marker location, and radiologic-pathologic correlation must be undertaken to ensure accurate biopsy of the intended target with use of the different modality. If, after employing all available strategic and procedural modifications, image-guided breast biopsy cannot be performed, then surgical excision of the intended target should be recommended at the time of biopsy cancellation to avoid a delay in diagnosis. This article reviews patient and lesion factors that pose technical challenges to successful breast biopsy and presents strategies and procedural modifications that aid in successful completion of breast biopsy in challenging situations. © RSNA, 2017.

Rationale and Objectives: This study aims to determine the prevalence and predictive value of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) 3, 4, and 5 findings on breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to evaluate the impact of study indication on the predictive value of BI-RADS categories., Materials and Methods: This institutional review board approved, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant retrospective review of our breast MRI database from 2009 to 2011, of 5778 contrast-enhanced studies in 3360 patients was performed. At our institution, each breast receives an individual BI-RADS assessment. Breast MRI reports and electronic medical records were reviewed to obtain BI-RADS assessment, patient demographics, and outcomes. Univariate analysis was performed with Fisher exact and chi-square tests., Results: A total of 9216 BI-RADS assessments were assigned during the study period: 7879 (85.5%) BI-RADS 1 and 2, 567 (6.2%) BI-RADS 3, 715 (7.8%) BI-RADS 4, and 55 (0.6%) BI-RADS 5 assessments. The frequency of BI-RADS 3, 4, and 5 assessments was higher in studies performed for diagnostic (7.8%, 14.6%, 1.6%, respectively) than screening (5.2%, 4.0%, 0.1%) indications (P < 0.01). A total of 663 BI-RADS 4 and 5 lesions were biopsied with 209 (31.5%) malignant and 454 (68.5%) benign outcomes. The overall cancer rate for BI-RADS 3 findings was 1.9% (11 of 567) with no difference observed by study indication (diagnostic, 1.6%; screening, 2.3%; P = 0.76). The positive predictive value (PPV2) of BI-RADS 4 and 5 was higher for diagnostic (29.1%, 154 of 530) than for screening (22.9%, 55 of 240) indications., Conclusions: Abnormal interpretation rates and PPV2 for MRIs performed for diagnostic indications are higher than for screening indications. Similar to mammography, breast MRI audits should be separated by study indication., (Copyright © 2017 The Association of University Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose To (a) evaluate the frequency of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 3 assessment in screening and diagnostic breast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, (b) review findings considered indicative of BI-RADS category 3, and (c) determine outcomes of BI-RADS category 3 lesions, including upgrades, downgrades, and malignancy rates. Materials and Methods This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board and compliant with HIPAA. The authors retrospectively reviewed the breast MR imaging database (2009-2011) to identify breast MR images classified as showing BI-RADS category 3 lesions. There were 9216 BI-RADS assessments in 5778 examinations (3360 women). Of the 9216 assessments, 567 (6%) in 483 women (average age, 47.2 years; median age, 47.0 years) were assigned BI-RADS category 3. In women with more than one BI-RADS category 3 lesion, the first lesion reported in the impression was used for data analysis. Outcomes data were available for 435 of the 483 women (90.1%). These women comprised the study cohort. Medical records from January 1, 2009, to May 31, 2015, were reviewed to obtain demographic characteristics and outcomes. χ(2) statistics and 95% exact confidence intervals (CIs) were constructed. Results MR imaging was performed for high-risk screening in 240 of the 435 patients (55.2%) and for diagnostic purposes in 195 (44.8%). Findings included mass (n = 125, 28.7%), focus (n = 111, 25.5%), nonmass enhancement (n = 80, 18.3%), moderate or marked background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) (n = 91, 20.9%), posttreatment changes (n = 16, 3.8%), and other findings (n = 12, 2.8%). Outcomes were as follows: 339 of the 435 patients (78%) did not have evidence of malignancy at more than 24 months, 28 (6.4%) underwent mastectomy (all benign), and 68 (15.6%) had lesion upgrades, with 11 cancers (2.5%). All 11 cancers were diagnosed in women with a genetic mutation or a personal history of breast cancer. No cancer was detected in cases of moderate or marked BPE. Conclusion Six percent of all breast MR imaging assessments were categorized as BI-RADS category 3, with a cancer rate of 2.5% (95% CI: 1.3%, 4.5%). All cancers were in women with a genetic mutation or personal history of breast cancer. Marked BPE does not necessitate a BI-RADS 3 assessment. (©) RSNA, 2016.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to describe the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of radiation-associated angiosarcoma (RAS) of the breast., Conclusion: Radiologists play an important role in the diagnosis of RAS, which may initially present clinically as erythema, ecchymosis, or skin thickening. Conventional imaging with mammography and ultrasound is less sensitive than MRI for the diagnosis of RAS. Follow-up CT is important to monitor treatment response.

Breast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, because of its extremely high sensitivity in detecting invasive breast cancers, is sometimes used as a diagnostic tool to evaluate equivocal mammographic findings. However, breast MR imaging should never substitute for a complete diagnostic evaluation or for biopsy of suspected, localizable suspicious mammographic lesions, whenever possible. The modality's high cost, in addition to only moderate specificity, mandate that radiologists use it sparingly and with discrimination for problematic mammographic findings. It is rare that the reality or significance of a noncalcified mammographic finding remains equivocal or problematic at diagnostic mammography evaluation, which usually includes targeted ultrasonography (US). There are several reasons for this infrequent occurrence: (a) an asymmetry may persist on diagnostic views but be visible only on craniocaudal or mediolateral oblique projections, precluding three-dimensional localization for US or biopsy, or a lesion may persist on some diagnostic spot views but dissipate or efface on others; (b) uncertainty may exist as to whether apparent change is clinically important or owing to technical factors such as compression or positioning differences; or (c) a lesion may be suspected but biopsy options are limited owing to lack of a US correlate and lesion inaccessibility for stereotactic biopsy, or biopsy of a vague or questionably real lesion has been attempted unsuccessfully. This article will discuss the indications for problem-solving MR imaging for equivocal mammographic findings, present cases illustrating appropriate and inappropriate uses of problem-solving MR imaging, and present false-positive and false-negative cases affecting the specificity of breast MR imaging. (©)RSNA, 2016.

Rationale and Objectives: To determine the cancer detection rate and abnormal interpretation rate of screening breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in previously treated breast cancer patients., Materials and Methods: Institutional review board-approved retrospective review of the breast MRI database from 2009 to 2011 identified a total of 3297 screening examinations. After excluding genetic mutation carriers, untested first-degree relatives of known mutation carriers, and patients with a history of chest irradiation, there were 1194 (36.2%) examinations in 691 patients previously treated for breast cancer. MRI reports were reviewed to determine MRI findings and breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) assessments. The longitudinal medical record was reviewed to determine patient demographics and outcomes of imaging surveillance and biopsy., Results: Mean patient age at initial cancer diagnosis was 46.1 years, and mean patient age during the study interval was 52 years. Cancer detection rate was 10 per 1000 (1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5%-1.8%]; 12 of 1194 examinations). Overall 10.7% (128 of 1194) of examinations received an abnormal interpretation, including 5.4% (65 of 1194) BI-RADS 4 or 5 and 5.3% (63 of 1194) BI-RADS 3 assessments with a 9.4% positive predictive value (PPV1; 12 of 128 examinations) and a 17.9% PPV3 (12 malignancies per 67 biopsies)., Conclusions: Screening breast MRI in women previously treated for breast cancer detected cancer in 1.0% of examinations, with a 10.7% abnormal interpretation rate, and a PPV for malignancy of 17.9%., (Copyright © 2015 AUR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)