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Radiologic findings in women after Autologous Fat Transfer (AFT) based breast reconstruction: A Systematic Review
M E P Rijkx1,2, E Bernardi1, S J Schop1,2
1Department of Plastic-, Reconstructive-, and Hand Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
JPRAS Open
|September 23, 2024
Summary
Autologous fat transfer (AFT) for breast reconstruction presents imaging challenges. This review details common benign findings like fat necrosis and highlights the need for biopsies, as 24.8% of biopsies after AFT were malignant.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Plastic Surgery
Background:
- Autologous fat transfer (AFT) is a common technique in breast reconstructive surgery.
- Post-surgical changes from AFT can complicate the interpretation of breast imaging.
- Differentiating benign findings from suspicious lesions after AFT is clinically significant.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and summarize the literature on breast imaging findings following AFT-based breast reconstruction.
- To provide an overview of commonly reported benign and suspicious radiologic findings across different imaging modalities.
- To highlight the role of biopsies in evaluating these findings.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of studies published between 2006 and 2022.
- Inclusion of studies reporting on AFT-based breast reconstruction and radiologic evaluation.
- Analysis of findings from mammography (MG), ultrasound (US), and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Main Results:
- Twenty studies were included, with only six providing qualitative descriptions of radiologic findings.
- Fat necrosis was the most frequently reported benign finding, presenting variably across MG, US, and MRI.
- Biopsies were performed in 13 of 20 studies, revealing malignancy in 24.8% (34 of 137) of cases.
Conclusions:
- Qualitative descriptions of radiologic findings after AFT are limited in the current literature.
- Biopsies are often necessary to accurately differentiate benign from malignant findings post-AFT.
- Further research and increased radiologist experience are crucial for improving imaging interpretation after AFT breast reconstruction.
