F. Lindbichler et al., COMPARISON OF MAMMOGRAPHIC IMAGE QUALITY IN VARIOUS METHODS OF RECONSTRUCTIVE BREAST SURGERY, European radiology, 6(6), 1996, pp. 925-928
The purpose of our study was to evaluate mammographic image quality of
various methods of reconstructive breast surgery with specific refere
nce to the possibility of diagnosis of recurrent tumors. A total of 39
patients who underwent breast reconstruction following modified radic
al mastectomy were subject to clinical and mammographic examination. T
hree groups were formed: (a) autonomous tissue reconstruction (TRAM-fl
ap; n = 9), (b) submuscular silicon gel prostheses (n = 21), and (c) s
upramuscular silicon gel prostheses (n = 9). Mammographic image qualit
y of the groups was compared by two radiologists working together usin
g a point system where five specific criteria were valued and scored.
The result was tabulated into three quality levels: good, acceptable,
and limited. Mammograms were assessed as good, acceptable, or limited,
respectively, as follows: group I: 7 (77.8%), 1 (11.1%), 1 (11.1%); g
roup II: 4 (19%), 11 (52.4%), 6 (28.6%); group III: 3 (33.3%), 4 (44.5
%), 2 (22.2%). The TRAM-flap method of reconstruction displays a high
degree of mammographic image quality and therefore is preferable with
respect to early diagnosis of recurrent tumors.