Suspicious breast lesions incidentally detected on chest computer tomography with histopathological correlation

To evaluate incidental breast lesions on chest computed tomography with histopathological correlation. It is important for general radiologist to characterize a breast lesion as benign, indetermined, or sufficiently suspicious to warrant further work-up.

A total of 35.000 chest CT examinations were performed between January 2016 and December 2020. 27 patients (mean age 70 years, age range 48-87 years) with incidental breast lesions were identified in this retrospective study. Two radiologists scored incidental breast lesions independently regarding their morphology, and the results were compared to histopathology which was obtained by an ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy or a surgical excision.

Out of 35.000 chest CT examinations, a total of 31 incidental breast lesions in 27 patients were detected. Among the 31 lesions, 23 were malignant and 8 benign. The malignant lesions included 17 carcinomas and 6 metastases (4 lymphomas and 2 melanomas). The benign lesions contained 2 hematomas, 4 fat necrosis, and 2 fibrosis lumps.

Chest computed tomography as a standard imaging technique is helpful for evaluation of suspicious breast lesions. This may ultimately influence patient management and lead to further imaging.