Review and management of breast lesions detected with breast tomosynthesis but not visible on mammography and ultrasonography

Abstract

Background

Breast tomosynthesis is more sensitive than mammography and can detect lesions that are not always visible with conventional methods such as digital mammography (MG) and ultrasonography (US). No standardized approach is available for the management of lesions that are detectable with tomosynthesis but are not visible on MG or US.

Purpose

To review suspicious breast lesions detected with tomosynthesis but not visible on two-dimensional (2D) MG or US and to determine the management options for these lesions.

Material and Methods

Ethical committee approval was obtained. The radiological records, biopsy or surgery results, and follow-up findings of 107 patients who had a tomosynthesis-positive but MG- or US-negative breast lesion between 2011 and 2016 were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

Of 107 lesions visible only with tomosynthesis, 74% were architectural distortions and 26% were asymmetrical opacities. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for further evaluation. Among the 48 (45%) MRI-negative lesions, none had a suspicious alteration during the follow-up period. Among the MRI-positive lesions, 28% of the 50 architectural distortions and 11% of the nine asymmetrical opacities were malignant.

Conclusion

Given the inherent high false-positive rate of breast tomosynthesis, breast MRI prior to biopsy may reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies for suspicious breast lesions that are tomosynthesis-positive only.