Comparison between high-resolution helical CT and pathology in breast examination.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether high-resolution helical CT can show the architectural features of breast carcinomas of non-limited extent (non-BCLE) and to establish the CT characteristic morphology of non-BCLE.


METHODS
We prospectively studied high-resolution helical CT of 136 invasive breast carcinomas before breast-conserving surgery. Non-BCLE were defined as ductal carcinomas in situ and invasive carcinomas beyond 1 cm from the edge of the dominant mass. Non-BCLE were defined as positive if enhanced beyond 1 cm from the edge of the focal enhancement on CT. After surgical resection, specimens were sliced in serial sections at 5-mm intervals, and the gross morphology and histology were correlated with the appearance of the preoperative CT lesion images.


RESULTS
Non-BCLE were present in 47 invasive carcinomas. The sensitivity and specificity of non-BCLE evaluation by high-resolution helical CT were 70% and 89%, respectively. The morphology of non-BCLE on CT agreed with histologic findings. The morphological pattern on CT significantly correlated with intraductal tumor density adjacent to invasive tumor.


CONCLUSIONS
Comparison of high-resolution helical CT with histologic data suggests that demonstration of a non-BCLE morphology can make the CT breast carcinoma local staging more accurate.
Uematsu
T
T
Division of Diagnostic Radiology, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, Shizuoka and Divisions of Surgery and Pathology, Niigata Cancer Center Hospital, Niigata, Japan.
Sano
M
M
Homma
K
K
Sato
N
N
D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed