ObjectiveTo assess the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the planning of breast cancer treatment strategies.Materials and MethodsThe study included 160 women diagnosed with breast cancer, who underwent breast MRI for preoperative staging. Using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r), we compared the size of the primary tumor, as determined by MRI, by conventional imaging (mammography and ultrasound), and in the pathological examination (gold standard). The identification of lesions not identified in previous examinations was also evaluated, as was its influence on treatment planning.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 52.2 years (range, 30–81 years), and the most common histological type was invasive ductal carcinoma (in 60.6% of the patients). In terms of the tumor size determined, MRI correlated better with the pathological examination than did mammography (r = 0.872 vs. 0.710) or ultrasound (r = 0.836 vs. 0.704). MRI identified additional lesions in 53 patients (33.1%), including malignant lesions in 20 (12.5%), which led to change in the therapeutic planning in 23 patients (14.4%).ConclusionBreast MRI proved to be more accurate than conventional imaging in determining the dimensions of the main tumor and was able to identify lesions not identified by other methods evaluated, which altered the therapeutic planning in a significant proportion of cases.

A ausência congênita de veia cava inferior é achado incomum e ocasional durante exames complementares ou cirurgias do abdome. Em razão de a maioria dos pacientes sem outras malformações serem assintomáticos, há dificuldade em estimar a prevalência dessas anomalias. O objetivo deste trabalho foi relatar o caso de um paciente de 28 anos, sexo masculino, referido para radiografia de tórax devido a quadro de febre alta (39ºC) não-responsiva à medicação. Radiografia de tórax sugeriu dilatação de veia ázigos. Em inquérito dirigido para sintomas cardiovasculares, referiu dor torácica (durante atividade física e em repouso) e dispneia ocasionais durante o sono associada ao período em que intensificou a prática de exercícios. Realizada tomografia computadorizada sem contraste e, posteriormente, contrastada. As mesmas não esclareceram o caso, fazendo-se necessário angiotomografia, a qual evidenciou ausência de veia cava inferior torácica.

The real benefit of MRI for treatment planning in patients with breast cancer may be different according to the histological type and molecular subtype.

Objective: To assess the impact of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on the locoregional staging of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 61 patients with breast cancer who underwent pre-treatment breast MRI, between August 2015 and April 2016. An experienced breast surgeon determined the surgical treatment, on the basis of the findings of conventional imaging examinations, and made a subsequent treatment recommendation based on the MRI findings, then determining whether the MRI changed the approach, as well as whether it had a positive or negative impact on the treatment. Results: The mean age was 50.8 years (standard deviation, 12.0 years). The most common histological type was invasive breast carcinoma of no special type (in 68.9%), and the most common molecular subtype was luminal B (in 45.9%). Breast MRI modified the therapeutic management in 23.0% of the cases evaluated, having a positive impact in 82.7%. Conclusion: Breast MRI is an useful tool for the locoregional staging of breast cancer, because it provides useful information that can have a positive impact on patient treatment.

Background: Preoperative assessment of tumor size is important in breast cancer treatment planning, especially in breast conservation surgeries. The use of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is increasing among patients with newly diagnosed breast cancers. However, some pathological features can overestimate the measurement of tumor size by MRI, increasing mastectomy rates. The objective is to evaluate which pathological features may affect the agreement between MRI and pathologic tumor size on invasive breast carcinomas. Methods: Eighty seven patients with breast cancer who underwent preoperative breast MRI were retrospectively evaluated. The main tumor size measured by MRI was compared with pathology (gold standard) and concordance was defined as a greater diameter difference of less than 10 mm. Results: There was MRI-pathology concordance in 60 cases (69.0%), MRI overestimated tumor size in 21 (24.1%) and underestimated in 6 (6.9%). After multivariate analysis, only associated ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) remained significantly related to overestimation of tumor size on MRI (OR: 9.00; 95% IC:1.13-71.87; p = 0.038). Conclusion: There was good correlation between tumor size evaluation on MRI and pathology. The presence of associated DCIS was the only pathological parameter associated with size overestimation on MRI.