Third-look contrast-enhanced ultrasonography plus needle biopsy for differential diagnosis of magnetic resonance imaging-only detected breast lesions

Abstract

Research has shown that in approximately 20% to 30% of cases, breast lesions that were not detected on mammography (MG) or ultrasonography (US) were incidentally found during preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination for breast cancer. MRI-guided needle biopsy is recommended or considered for such MRI-only detected breast lesions invisible on second-look US, but many facilities in Japan cannot perform this biopsy procedure because it is expensive and time-consuming. Thus, a simpler and more accessible diagnostic method is needed. Two studies to date have shown that third-look contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) plus needle biopsy for MRI-only detected breast lesions (i.e., MRI+/MG-/US-) that were not detected on second-look US showed moderate/high sensitivity (57.1% and 90.9%) and high specificity (100.0% in both studies) with no severe complications. In addition, the identification rate was higher for MRI-only lesions with a higher MRI BI-RADS category (i.e., category 4/5) than for those with a lower category (i.e., category 3). Despite the fact that there are limitations in our literature review, CEUS plus needle biopsy is a feasible and convenient diagnostic tool for MRI-only lesions invisible on second-look US and is expected to reduce the frequency of MRI-guided needle biopsy. When third-look CEUS does not reveal MRI-only lesions, a further indication for MRI-guided needle biopsy should be considered according to the BI-RADS category.