BACKGROUND/AIMS
To evaluate the impact of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) for assessing specimens of breast carcinoma (BCa) in terms of comparing with other diagnostic tools.
MATERIALS and METHODS
Between November 2014 and May 2015, patients who underwent wire-guided breast biopsy with mammography (MG), specimen radiography (RG), and digital specimen tomosynthesis (DST) examinations were evaluated. Two breast radiologists retrospectively assessed the results in consensus. Breast lesions were classified according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (BI-RADS). In mass described cases, the longest axes of the masses were measured; and in calcification described cases, the longest axes of the calcifications were measured. All findings were compared with macroscopic measurements. Statistical analyses were performed; p<0.05 was considered significant.
RESULTS
In total, 85 specimens were evaluated. The mean age was 54.2±10.8 years. Of the 85 specimens, 46 lesions were malignant and 39 lesions were benign. The average mass sizes were 14±9.7 and 13±6.8 mm in diagnostic MG and DBT, respectively. In specimen RG and DST, the average mass sizes were 12±6 mm and 12±6.2 mm, respectively. The mean macroscopic mass size was 12±6.3 mm. There was a statistical significant difference between diagnostic MG and specimen RG-DST findings regarding mass sizes (p=0.02 and p=0.01, respectively). BI-RADS evaluations of specimen RG and diagnostic and specimen TS were similar but different from those of diagnostic MG (p<0.001).
CONCLUSION
The exact detection of BCa specimen and its BI-RADS features can be diagnosed using DST; lesion size, with specimen and diagnostic DBT. Additionally, DBT can help diagnose preoperative structural distortion or asymmetric densities.
Keywords: Breast carcinoma, digital breast tomosynthesis, digital specimen tomosynthesis