Correlation of magnetic resonance imaging and pathologic size of infiltrating lobular carcinoma of the breast.
BACKGROUND
Determining the extent of infiltrating lobular carcinoma (ILCA) in the breast is difficult. This study was designed to determine if the size of ILCA on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) correlated with final pathology.


METHODS
Retrospective study of patients between 1998 and 2004, who were evaluated for extent of ILCA prior to definitive treatment, was conducted. Demographic data and radiology and pathology results were obtained. Spearman correlation coefficient was used.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine patients (median age 62 years) had MRI of breast. Fourteen patients (48%) had contralateral MRIs; 13 (45%) normal; 1 (8%) prompted core biopsy; 6 of 13 patients underwent contralateral mastectomies, which were benign. The distribution of tumor size was: T1 = 15 (52%); T2 = 7 (24%); T3 = 5 (17%); T4 = 2 (7%). Spearman correlation coefficient between tumor size on ultrasound and MRI with pathology was .19 (P = .5) and .88 (P < .001), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI provided superior correlation between tumor size and pathology.
Kepple
Julie
J
Department of Surgery, Division of Breast Surgical Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham, Slot 725, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
Layeeque
Rakhshanda
R
Klimberg
V Suzanne
VS
Harms
Steven
S
Siegel
Eric
E
Korourian
Soheila
S
Gusmano
Flavia
F
Henry-Tillman
Ronda S
RS
D000368:Aged; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium