Mammographic density estimation: Comparison among BI-RADS categories, a semi-automated software and a fully automated one

Mammographic density estimation: Comparison among BI-RADS categories, a semi-automated software and a fully automated one
Alberto Tagliafico, Giulio Tagliafico, Simona Tosto, Fabio Chiesa, Carlo Martinoli, Lorenzo E. Derchi, Massimo Calabrese
The Breast 18, 1, February 2009, Pages 35-40

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Part of the BIRADS report is an estimation of breast density in 4 grades from fatty to extremely dense (as an indicator of the sensitivity of mammography to pick up cancers). This study compared standard reading with that obtained from semi-automated and fully automated breast density reporting software. Fully automated was better than semi-automated, which was also better than conventional density estimation.

This technique has the potential to eliminate the reader variability in reading out density for a particular mammogram

Ultrasound guided percutaneous axillary lymph node core biopsy: How often is the sentinel lymph node being biopsied?

Ultrasound guided percutaneous axillary lymph node core biopsy: How often is the sentinel lymph node being biopsied?
P.D. Britton, E. Provenzano, S. Barter, M. Gaskarth, A. Goud, P. Moyle, R. Sinnatamby, M. Wallis, J.R. Benson, P. Forouhi, G.C. Wishart
The Breast 18, 1, 2009, 13-16

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This study aimed to establish the frequency of successful targeting of the SLN by ultrasound guided biopsy. False negative rate for CB of 30%. Reasons for false -ves - failure to sample the sentinel lymph node in 10 (45%) and failure to sample the metastatic disease in the sentinel node in 11 (55%). Better methods of identifying the sentinel lymph node and more adequate sampling are required

Predictive value of needle core biopsy diagnoses of lesions of uncertain malignant potential (B3) in abnormalities detected by mammographic screening

Predictive value of needle core biopsy diagnoses of lesions of uncertain malignant potential (B3) in abnormalities detected by mammographic screening
M E El-Sayed, E A Rakha, J Reed, A H S Lee, A J Evans, I O Ellis
Histopathology 2008, 53, 650–657

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Approximately 20% of needle core biopsy of screen-detected breast lesions classified as B3 are malignant on excision, and the likelihood of malignancy varies substantially between different histological subtypes

Lobular neoplasia: Core needle breast biopsy underestimation of malignancy in relation to radiologic and pathologic features
Viviana Londero, Chiara Zuiani, Anna Linda, Elena Vianello, Alessandro Furlan, Massimo Bazzocchi
The Breast 17 (2008) 623 - 630

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Purpose: to assess the positive predictive value (PPV) for malignancy of core needle biopsy (CNB) demonstrating lobular neoplasia.
Underestimation of malignancy was more likely in cases of LCIS, US-guided CNB, and lesions that were large and suspicious on imaging.

The value of a combination of wire localization and ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy for clustered microcalcifications

The value of a combination of wire localization and ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy for clustered microcalcifications
Ki Seok Choo, Hee Suk Kwak, Young Tae Bae, Jee-Yeon Lee, Seung Ju Lee, Hyoung Il Seo, Su Bong Nam
The Breast 17 (2008) 611 - 616

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Purpose: to introduce and evaluate the usefulness of the combination of wire localization and ultrasound (US)-guided, vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VAB) to histologically diagnose mammographically detected clustered microcalcifications in the absence of sonographic and clinically palpable masses. Appears to be an accurate and useful method for diagnosing mammographically detected, clustered microcalcifications

Pain during vacuum-assisted breast biopsy: Are there any predictors?

Pain during vacuum-assisted breast biopsy: Are there any predictors?
George C. Zografos, Flora Zagouri, Theodoros N. Sergentanis, Afrodite Nonni, Philip Domeyer, Dimitra Koulocheri, Ioannis Flessas, Effrosyni Panopoulou, Dimosthenis Chrysikos, John Bramis
The Breast 17 (2008) 592e595

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Pain can be reduced by increased experience of the operator (shorter procedure times) and the avoidance of the luteal phase - timing is everything!

Lower recurrence risk through mammographic screening reduces breast cancer treatment costs

Lower recurrence risk through mammographic screening reduces breast cancer treatment costs
Lea Kauhava, Pirjo Immonen-Räihä, Ilmo Parvinen, Kaija Holli, Liisa Pylkkänen, Anne Kaljonen, Hans Helenius, Pauliina Kronqvist, Pekka J. Klemi
The Breast 17 (2008) 550–554

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The high risk and high costs of breast cancer recurrence are reasons why interventions should be developed that can prevent or delay disease recurrence and reduce the costs of breast cancer care. The present study showed that screening saves costs by early detection of breast cancer with reduced risk of recurrence