Rs. Henry-tillman et al., Role of breast magnetic resonance imaging in determining breast as a source of unknown metastatic lymphadenopathy, AM J SURG, 178(6), 1999, pp. 496-499
BACKGROUND: Occult primary breast cancer (OPBC) represents less than 1% of
breast cancer. In only a third of cases, mammography identifies a primary t
umor. We hypothesized that rotating delivery of excitation off-resonance br
east magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) would identify or exclude the breast
as a primary site in patients with OPEC.
METHODS: In a retrospective review, 10 patients were identified with OPEC i
n which MRI was performed. Malignant appearing lesions were correlated with
histopathologic findings at biopsy or surgery.
RESULTS: MRI identified the primary site in 8 of 10 cases as breast (80%),
and excluded it in 2 cases. The extent of disease and location was accurate
ly predicted when compared with histopathologic specimen.
CONCLUSIONS: AS we continue to focus on a cure of early breast cancer, it i
s imperative that diagnostic images become more sensitive and specific. MRI
accurately predicted OPEC in this subset of patients. Am J Surg. 1999;178:
496-500. (C) 1999 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.