MR Imaging Features of Tubular Carcinoma: Preliminary Experience in Twelve Masses

We retrospectively analyzed the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features and diffusion-weighted imaging findings of the 12 masses of 10 patients with tubular carcinoma (TC), including mammography and sonography findings.

Mammographic, sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging features in 12 histopathologically confirmed masses diagnosed as TC of the breast within 10 patients were evaluated. Morphologic characteristics, enhancement features, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were reviewed.

On mammography (n=5), TC appeared as high density masses with indistinct, spiculated or obscured margins. Sonographically, TC appeared as a hypoechoic appearance (n=12) with posterior acoustic shadowing in nine. On MR imaging, the margins of ten of twelve masses were irregular. Internal enhancement patterns were heterogeneous in 10 patients. Dynamic enhancement patterns illustrated plateau kinetics (n=8). On the T2-weighted images 4 masses were hypointense, and 8 were hyperintense; hypointense internal septation was found in seven of these. Tubular carcinoma appeared as hyperintense on diffusion-weighted imaging with ADC values of 0.85±0.16×10-3 mm²/s that was lower than the normal parenchyma of 1.25±0.25×10-3 mm²/s.

According to our study with a limited number of cases, tubular carcinomas can be described as hyperintense breast carcinomas with or without dark internal septation like appearance on T2-weighted images. Low ADC values from DW imaging can be used to differentiate TC from hyperintense benign breast lesions.