Assessing the extent of breast cancer using multidetector row helical computed tomography.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of multidetector row helical computed tomography (MD-CT) in assessing the local extent of breast cancer.


METHODS
Seventy-five breast cancer patients were examined using MD-CT with scanning performed in the supine position at 1-mm collimation. The extent of the breast tumors determined using CT was compared with that based on histopathologic mapping with continuous 5-mm slices.


RESULTS
The CT evaluation of the maximum diameter of the extent of breast cancer was much better correlated with the histopathologic diagnosis (correlation coefficient=0.90) than the pre-CT diagnosis (correlation coefficient=0.46). Computed tomography correctly detected mammographically and clinically occult cancer other than the index lesion in 14 of 15 patients. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in the diagnosis of the additional lesions were 93.3%, 98.3%, and 97.3%, respectively. Because the images were obtained in the supine position, they were useful for surgical planning.


CONCLUSIONS
The extent of breast cancer can be determined accurately using MD-CT.
Takase
Kei
K
Department of Radiology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Miyagi, and Department of Breast Surgery, Ishinomaki Red Cross Hospital, Ishinomaki, Japan. kytakase@mb.infoweb.ne.jp
Furuta
Akihiko
A
Harada
Narumi
N
Takahashi
Toru
T
Igarashi
Kazumasa
K
Chiba
Yoshihiro
Y
Haga
Kenichi
K
Takahashi
Shoki
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*