Three-dimensional helical CT for treatment planning of breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The role of three-dimensional (3D) helical CT in the treatment planning of breast cancer was evaluated.


METHODS
Of 36 patients examined, 30 had invasive ductal carcinoma, three had invasive lobular carcinoma, one had DCIS, one had DCIS with minimal invasion, and 1 had Paget's disease. Patients were examined in the supine position. The whole breast was scanned under about 25 seconds of breath-holding using helical CT (Proceed, Yokogawa Medical Systems, or High-speed Advantage, GE Medical Systems). 3D imaging was obtained with computer assistance (Advantage Windows, GE Medical Systems).


RESULTS
Linear and/or spotty enhancement on helical CT was considered to suggest DCIS or intraductal spread in the area surrounding the invasive cancer. Of 36 patients, 24 showed linear and/or spotty enhancement on helical CT, and 22 of those 24 patients had DCIS or intraductal spread. In contrast, 12 of 36 patients were considered to have little or no intraductal spread on helical CT, and eight of the 12 patients had little or no intraductal spread on pathological examination. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rates for detecting intraductal spread on MRI were 85%, 80%, and 83%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
3D helical CT was considered useful in detecting intraductal spread and planning surgery, however, a larger study using a precise correlation with pathology is necessary.
Hiramatsu
H
H
Keio University School of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Tokyo, Japan.
Enomoto
K
K
Ikeda
T
T
Mukai
M
M
Furuta
T
T
Hattori
H
H
Tanami
Y
Y
Ohashi
T
T
Kitajima
M
M
Hiramatsu
K
K
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*