The value of "constant sharpness" as a diagnostic sign in MR-Mammography.

PURPOSE: To examine "constant lesion sharpness" as a morphological diagnostic sign in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant lesions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study had institutional review board approval and was HIPAA compliant. In total 1014 consecutive patients were examined (mean age 55 years ± 13 years) and evaluated in our University hospital towards the morphological shape of the lesion borders. The "Constant sharpness Sign" was defined as a lesion remaining continuously sharp for the duration of the dynamic scan. Inclusion criteria were unclear findings (e.g. BIRADS III/IV), Preoperative staging (BRIDAS IV/V), and referred patients from local clinic of gynecology. Exclusion criteria were MRM-examination ≤1 year before, status after surgery and/or biopsy, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Reference Standard was histological verification. Images were diagnosed by two experienced radiologists in consensus, blinded to the standard of reference.

RESULTS: 1014 patients with 1084 lesions (436 benign, 648 malignant lesions) were included into the study. 41.5% of benign lesions and 6.8% (181/436) of malignant lesions displayed a constant sharpness as an accompanying morphological sign (P < 0.001). This resulted in a sensitivity of 41.5%, specificity of 93.2%, a positive likelihood ratio of 6.1%, a negative likelihood ratio of 0.63 and an odd's ratio of 9,7%.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: The constant sharpness sign seems to be an accurate predictor of benign breast lesions, which may help to increase the accuracy of MRM as a morphological sign.