How often are previously undetected radiographic abnormalities detected at the time of CT simulation for breast cancer patients?
OBJECTIVE
In most institutions, planning computed tomography (CT) scans are not interpreted by diagnostic radiologists. The purpose of this analysis was to determine the percentage of cases in which a previously undetected radiographic finding was found on review of CT simulation images by diagnostic radiology.


METHODS
At the Henry Ford West Bloomfield Center, CT simulations are prospectively interpreted by diagnostic radiologists and a formal report is generated. CT simulation scan reports of 332 consecutive breast cancer patients from 2000 to 2006 were reviewed. The percentage of these reports in which a previously undetected abnormality was noted on the planning CT was determined. Prior and subsequent diagnostic CT scans were also reviewed to determine the clinical relevance of these diagnostic abnormalities.


RESULTS
Of 332 patients with CT simulations for breast cancer treatment planning, 52 patients (16%) had a newly detected abnormality noted. Of these, 31 patients (or 60% of the abnormal findings) were deemed by diagnostic radiology to have potentially significant findings (e.g., "can not exclude metastatic disease"), and a follow-up CT or magnetic resonance imaging scan was recommended. Abnormalities in this category included previously undetected lung nodules, liver lesions, kidney/adrenal lesions, and sclerotic bony lesions. On follow-up, however, to date, these findings have demonstrated no clinical significance, although further follow-up is needed in many patients.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, a significant proportion of breast cancer patients undergoing CT planning studies were diagnosed with potential abnormalities for which follow-up was recommended by diagnostic radiology. To date, these findings have not been clinically relevant, though further follow-up is needed in many of the patients. Thus, in cases of clinical uncertainty, a diagnostic radiologist should be consulted and follow-up imaging obtained if necessary.
Rao
Sishir
S
Department of Radiation Oncology, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
Patel
Anushka
A
Levin
Kenneth
K
Lu
Mei
M
Garbarino
Kim
K
Myers
Daniel
D
Walker
Eleanor M
EM
Ryu
Samuel
S
Ho Kim
Jae
J
Movsas
Benjamin
B
D000236:Adenoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000368:Aged; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D055613:Multiple Pulmonary Nodules / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009232:Myxoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed