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Added value of abbreviated breast magnetic resonance imaging for assessing suspicious microcalcification on screening mammography—a prospective study

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Abstract

Objectives

To investigate the added diagnostic value of abbreviated breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for suspicious microcalcifications on screening mammography.

Methods

This prospective study included 80 patients with suspicious calcifications on screening mammography who underwent abbreviated MRI before undergoing breast biopsy between August 2017 and September 2020. The abbreviated protocol included one pre-contrast and the first post-contrast T1-weighted series. MRI examinations were interpreted as either positive or negative based on the visibility of any significant enhancement. The positive predictive value (PPV) was compared before and after the MRI.

Results

Of the 80 suspicious microcalcifications, 33.8% (27/80) were malignant and 66.2% (53/80) were false positives. Abbreviated MRI revealed 33 positive enhancement lesions, and 25 and two lesions showed true-positive and false-negative findings, respectively. Abbreviated MRI increased PPV from 33.8 (27 of 80 cases; 95% CI: 26.2%, 40.8%) to 75.8% (25 of 33 cases; 95% CI: 62.1%, 85.7%). A total of 85% (45 of 53) false-positive diagnoses were reduced after abbreviated MRI assessment.

Conclusions

Abbreviated MRI added significant diagnostic value in patients with suspicious microcalcifications on screening mammography, as demonstrated by a significant increase in PPV with a potential reduction in unnecessary biopsy.

Key Points

• Abbreviated breast magnetic resonance imaging increased the positive predictive value of suspicious microcalcifications on screening mammography from 33.8 (27/80 cases) to 75.8% (25/33 cases) (p < .01).

• Abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging helped avoid unnecessary benign biopsies in 85% (45/53 cases) of lesions without missing invasive cancer.

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Abbreviations

BI-RADS:

Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System

CI:

Confidence interval

DCIS:

Ductal carcinoma in situ

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

PPV:

Positive predictive value

SVAB:

Stereotactic vacuum-assisted biopsy

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Funding

This study was financially supported by Bayer.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, 06273, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Hye Mi Gweon, Na Lae Eun, Ji Hyun Youk, Jeong-Ah Kim & Eun Ju Son

  2. Department of Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Joon Jeong, Soong June Bae & Sung Gwe Ahn

Authors
  1. Hye Mi Gweon
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  2. Na Lae Eun
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  3. Ji Hyun Youk
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  4. Joon Jeong
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  5. Soong June Bae
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  6. Sung Gwe Ahn
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  7. Jeong-Ah Kim
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  8. Eun Ju Son
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eun Ju Son.

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Guarantor

The scientific guarantor of this publication is Eun Ju Son.

Conflict of interest

The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article.

Statistics and biometry

No complex statistical methods were necessary for this paper.

Informed consent

The institutional review board approved this prospective, single-center study. All patients provided written informed consent.

Ethical approval

Institutional Review Board approval was obtained.

Methodology

• Prospective

• Diagnostic or prognostic study

• Performed at one institution

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Gweon, H.M., Eun, N.L., Youk, J.H. et al. Added value of abbreviated breast magnetic resonance imaging for assessing suspicious microcalcification on screening mammography—a prospective study. Eur Radiol 32, 815–821 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-021-08196-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-021-08196-y

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