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Novel technique developed to differentiate between benign and malignant breast lesions


A novel method of distinguishing between malignant and benign breast lesions may help to reduce numbers of unnecessary biopsies, according to a study from the Radiological Society of North America (IL, USA).

The novel technique, termed kurtosis imaging, provides a picture of breast tissue on a microstructural level and utilizes diffusion-weighted imaging measurements, derived from MRI. Interestingly, kurtosis imaging requires no contrast agent, unlike current examinations that can involve the intravenous injection of agents.

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The team evaluated data from a retrospective analysis of 222 women across two independent study centers. The women exhibited suspicious lesions on mammography results that were classified according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) as BI-RAD 4 and 5. BR-RAD 4 is considered a suspicious abnormality, whilst BR-RAD 5 is highly indicative of malignancy.

The participants underwent diffusion-weighted imaging, followed by a biopsy. An algorithm was then developed to characterize lesions and imaging features were extracted utilizing a kurtosis-based radiomics model.

In a test set of 127 women, radiomics analysis reduced false-positive results by 70%, whilst also being capable of detecting 98% of malignancies.

The findings demonstrate that the technique has the potential to reduce levels of unnecessary biopsies performed, whilst also providing an independent assessment reader to ensure accuracy is maintained across imaging facilities, as summarized by co-lead author Paul Jaeger (Radiological Society of North America); “The model might help to lower the number of BI-RADS 4 lesions suspected of being cancer on the basis of screening mammography while retaining a high sensitivity similar to the sensitivity reported for biopsies themselves.”

 Source: www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/rson-mtd021318.php