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Detection of Architectural Distortion in Prior Mammograms via Analysis of Oriented Patterns
Published on: August 30, 2013
Developing asymmetry identified on mammography: correlation with imaging outcome and pathologic findings
Jessica W T Leung1, Edward A Sickles
1Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, Box 1667, San Francisco, CA 94143-1667, USA.
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|February 22, 2007
Summary
Developing asymmetry on mammography is rare but warrants biopsy due to a high malignancy likelihood. Normal sonography does not rule out cancer in these cases.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Developing asymmetry is a mammographic finding indicating a focal deposit that has recently appeared or increased in size.
- This sign requires careful evaluation due to its potential association with malignancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of developing asymmetry in mammography.
- To analyze the imaging outcomes and pathological significance of developing asymmetry.
- To assess the role of adjunctive imaging like sonography and MRI.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of mammography cases from April 1985 to April 2005.
- Analysis of radiology and pathology records for developing asymmetry cases.
- Evaluation of sonography and MRI use and tissue diagnoses.
Main Results:
- Developing asymmetry occurred in 0.16% of screening and 0.11% of diagnostic mammograms.
- For screening mammography, the positive predictive value for cancer (PPV2) was 42.9%.
- For diagnostic mammography, the PPV2 was 30.8%. Normal sonographic findings did not exclude malignancy in 23.8% of cancers.
Conclusions:
- Developing asymmetry is an infrequent mammographic finding.
- The likelihood of malignancy is significant enough to recommend biopsy for developing asymmetry.
- Sonography cannot reliably exclude malignancy when developing asymmetry is present.
