Thomas Caramella MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Claire Chapellier, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Francette Ettore, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Inès Raoust, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Emmanuel Chamorey, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Maestro Catherine MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Determination of the value of MRI for invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), a diagnostic challenge for the radiologist.

57 patients with histologically-proven ILC were studied between 1998 and 2006. All patients underwent physical examination, mammography, ultrasound and an MRI. All anomalies detected were graded using the BI-RADS classification and careful research was made for the presence of multifocal/multicentric disease. The histologic tumor size was compared with the other techniques.

66% of the tumors were palpable. The majority of the mammograms presented architectural distorsion (36%) or mass (53%), most of them with spiculated contours. On MRI, 72% were visualized as masses and 18% corresponded to a non-mass-like enhancement. Size correlations, based on comparison with histology findings were: 0.88 (MRI, p<0.001), 0.57 (ultrasound), 0.53 (physical examination), and 0.40 (mammography). The Kappa correlations for multifocal/multicentric disease were: 0.87 (MRI), 0.22 (ultrasound), and 0.22 (mammography). MRI had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 87%. The therapeutic strategy was modified in 49% of cases.

MRI is unquestionably valuable for the management of ILC. It provides the most accurate estimate of tumor size and is highly sensitive for multifocal/multicentric disease. Its main drawback is a lack of specificity that requires preoperative histologic verification. MRI often justifies modification of the initial therapeutic strategy, generally by ruling out a conservative procedure.

Lobular carcinoma, breast neoplasm, magnetic resonance imaging

Caramella, T, Chapellier, C, Ettore, F, Raoust, I, Chamorey, E, Catherine, M, Value of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Work-up of Invasive Lobular Breast Carcinoma: Prospective and Retrospective Study of 57 Cases—Comparison with Physical Examination, Conventional Imaging, and Histology.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5010731.html