The anatomic and histologic characteristics of the nipple-areolar complex make this breast region special. The nipple-areolar complex can be affected by abnormal development and a wide spectrum of pathological conditions, many of which have unspecific clinical and radiological presentations that can present a challenge for radiologists. The nipple-areolar complex requires a specific imaging workup in which a multimodal approach is essential. Radiologists need to know the different imaging modalities used to study the nipple-areolar complex, as well as their advantages and limitations. It is essential to get acquainted with the acquisition technique for each modality and the spectrum of findings for the different conditions. This review describes and illustrates a combined clinical and radiological approach to evaluate the nipple-areolar complex, emphasizing the findings for the normal morphology, developmental abnormalities, and the most common benign and malignant diseases that can affect this region. We also present a diagnostic algorithm that enables a rapid, practical approach to diagnosing condition involving the nipple-areolar complex.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the GENSPEED(®) MRSA Test Kit that in addition to the traditional MRSA gene mecA, also incorporates a probe for detection of the newly described mecA homologue mecC. So far only one commercial system is able to detect this new gene. The specific objective was to evaluate the ability of the kit to detect and separate Stapyhylococcus aureus containing either mecA, mecC or no methicillin-resistance determinant. Ninety-five MRSA isolates from humans were included in the test and additional mecC-positive isolates from animals and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus were tested. The kit demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity compared to a standard PCR method. The kit provides the ability to perform rapid and reliable detection of both mecA-MRSA and mecC-MRSA.