A Preliminary Study to Propose a Diagnostic Algorithm for Pet/Ct-Detected Incidental Breast Lesions: Application of Bi-Rads Lexicon for Us in Combination With Suvmax Publisher Pubmed



Bakhshayeshkaram M¹ ; Salehi Y² ; Abbasi M² ; Hashemi Beni R¹ ; Seifi S³ ; Hassanzad M⁴ ; Jamaati HR⁵ ; Aghahosseini F¹ Show Affiliations
Source: European Radiology Published:2019

Abstract

Objectives: To develop a diagnostic algorithm for positron emission tomography (PET)–detected incidental breast lesions using both breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) criteria. Methods: Fifty-six PET-detected incidental breast lesions from 51 patients, which were subsequently investigated by breast ultrasound within 1 month of the PET study, constituted the study cohort and they were finally verified by tissue diagnosis or a 2-year follow-up. Based on the maximum specificity with sensitivity > 60.0% and maximum sensitivity with specificity > 60.0%, two SUVmax cutoff values were calculated at 2 and 3.7. BI-RADS ≥ 4 was considered as highly suspicious for malignancy. The diagnostic accuracies were estimated for SUVmax levels above or below the cutoff points combined with the BI-RADS suspicion level. Results: Overall, 46 benign and 10 malignant lesions were studied. The diagnostic characteristics of SUVmax ≥ 2, SUVmax ≥ 3.7, and BI-RADS ≥ 4 were 80.0%, 60.0%, and 80.0% for sensitivity, 73.9%, 95.7%, and 92.7% for specificity, and 75.0%, 89.3%, and 90.2% for accuracy, respectively. When the SUVmax threshold was set at 2, combined with BI-RADS suspicion level, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 100.0%, 69.6%, and 75.0%, respectively. The results for SUVmax threshold set at 3.7 combined with BI-RADS were 90.0%, 91.3%, and 91.1% for the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, respectively. A diagnostic algorithm was accordingly generated. Conclusion: The need for biopsy should be justified in low BI-RADS lesions presenting with high SUVmax at 3.7 or higher. The biopsy of patients with high B-IRADS and low SUVmax could be preserved. Key Points: • A diagnostic algorithm was developed for PET-detected incidental breast lesions using both BI-RADS and SUVmax criteria. • Diagnostic performance was calculated separately and conjunctively for SUVmax ≥ 2, SUVmax ≥ 3.7, and BI-RADS ≥ 4. • The need for biopsy can be justified in BI-RADS < 4 lesions with SUVmax ≥ 3.7. Lesions with BI-RADS < 4 and indeterminate SUVmax (2 < SUVmax < 3.7) benefit from a short-interval follow-up. BI-RADS < 4 lesions with SUVmax < 2 may confidently be scheduled for routine screening. © 2019, European Society of Radiology.