title: Light scan evaluation of nonpalpable breast lesions.
abstract: Transillumination light scanning of the breast was performed immediately before needle localization of 112 nonpalpable mammographic abnormalities detected in 103 patients. Twenty-four cancers were diagnosed in 23 patients. The positive predictive value for mammography was 21%. Ten (42%) of these nonpalpable cancers were not visible on transillumination light scanning. Eleven of 16 invasive ductal cancers and three of seven intraductal cancers were evident on transillumination light scans, but a single case of lobular carcinoma in situ was not evident. There were 12 false-positive light scan examinations. Transillumination light scanning had a 58% sensitivity, an 86% specificity, a 54% positive predictive value, and an 88% negative predictive value for small breast lesions. Therefore, the authors are unable to recommend delaying biopsy in patients with mammographic abnormalities on the basis of a negative light scan study.
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000175:diagnosis; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D005348:Fibrocystic Breast Disease / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000175:diagnosis; D008327:Mammography; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D010173:Palpation; D014172:Transillumination