Management of radial scars found at percutaneous breast biopsy.

Objective: To determine whether percutaneous biopsy can safely differentiate radial scars (RS) that can be followed from those that require excision.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data regarding 15 986 biopsies was performed at the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montreal between October 1995 and December 2003 and yielded 227 RS. The type of biopsy, number of cores, and mammographic characteristics were recorded.

Level of suspicion of a mammographic lesion: use of features defined by BI-RADS lexicon and correlation with large-core breast biopsy.

Objective: To determine whether the categories defined in the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) are useful predictors of malignancy and to assess their positive predictive value.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective study was undertaken from July 1, 1994, to June 30, 1995. Of 568 abnormal mammograms for which largecore biopsy was recommended, 495 were available for review.

Imaging of the salivary glands.

The most common conditions affecting the salivary glands are calculi, inflammation and tumours. Plain radiography may be useful, especially in showing calculi. Sialography is the examination of choice for inflammatory diseases, whereas ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are particularly useful in evaluating masses in the salivary glands.

Diffuse metastatic involvement of the breast.

Metastases to the breast are not very common and, according to the recent literature, usually present as nodules, most often single but sometimes multiple, generally without retraction or thickening of the skin. The authors reviewed 21 such cases from the last 15 years. In six patients the metastatic infiltration presented as diffuse thickening of the skin and increased density of the breast, as can be seen in inflammatory diseases or after radiotherapy.

Sensitivity and specificity of first screen mammography in the Canadian National Breast Screening Study: a preliminary report from five centers.

Sensitivity and specificity of first screen mammography in a randomized screening trial at five centers are reported. A total of 23,101 women underwent mammography; in 139, breast cancer was detected at first screening; in 20, less than 12 months after first screening; and in 47, at second screening. All 206 cancer cases were histologically confirmed, and 174 were defined as being detectable at first screening.