Background
Breast lesions present a diverse array of appearances on imaging, posing challenges in diagnosis and management. Complex breast lesions containing cystic and solid components are associated with a variety of benign, atypical, and malignant pathologic diagnoses. Complex cystic breast masses have a substantial chance of being malignant; malignancy was reported in 23% and 31% of cases in two series. For that reason, percutaneous or surgical biopsy is usually indicated. Differentiating between benign and malignant lesions is critical for patient care. This educational exhibit aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the imaging findings associated with complex solid and cystic breast lesions to help the interpreting radiologist build a fundamental understanding of salient features that can help classify benign from malignant lesions and ultimately guide clinical management.
Educational Goals / Teaching Points
This exhibit will help the radiologist build a foundation in understanding salient imaging features of complex solid and cystic breast lesions. It enlists the imaging appearances of different type of benign and malignant complex solid and cystic breast lesions with case examples to illustrate different modalities used for optimal assessment of reassuring versus worrisome findings.
Key Anatomic/Physiologic Issues and Imaging Findings/Techniques
The exhibit focuses on enhancing the interpreting radiologist's ability for evaluating complex solid and cystic breast lesions using different modalities including ultrasound, CT, and MRI. It will enlist various examples of benign and malignant complex solid and cystic breast lesions visualized on different imaging modalities. The exhibit will provide insights into key differentiating imaging features of benign versus malignant complex and cystic breast lesions using several case examples and illustrations to help radiologists build an appropriate understanding of reassuring versus worrisome imaging findings. It will help the interpreting radiologist build optimal use of BI-RADS nomenclature to help efficiently report complex solid and cystic breast lesions and ultimately guide efficient clinical management.
Conclusion
Accurate characterization of complex solid and cystic breast lesions by interpreting radiologists is paramount in determining appropriate patient management, minimizing unnecessary biopsies, and facilitating early cancer detection. This educational exhibit aims to help the radiologist recognize imaging hallmarks of both benign and malignant lesions, to make them better equipped to contribute to improved clinical management and patient care.
