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Problem Solving Breast MRI for Mammographic, Sonographic, or Clinical Findings

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Abstract

Because of the high sensitivity of breast MRI in detection of invasive breast cancer, there has been interest in using breast MRI as a problem solving tool for evaluation of mammographic or sonographic findings, or for clinical breast symptoms in which conventional mammographic or ultrasound evaluation is negative. In this chapter, we review and discuss the current literature on problem solving MRI for imaging or clinical findings. Breast MRI does not have sufficient negative predictive value to avoid biopsy of a suspicious mammographic or sonographic finding. It may rarely be indicaed for equivocal or inconclusive findings at diagnostic mammographic and sonographic evaluation and when biopsy cannot be performed. It has not been found to be helpful for most clinical symptoms such as a palpable finding or breast pain when conventional imaging is negative, but may have utility in patients with nipple discharge, or symptoms suggestive of inflammatory breast cancer or Paget’s disease.

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Yeh, E.D., Giess, C.S. (2017). Problem Solving Breast MRI for Mammographic, Sonographic, or Clinical Findings. In: Heller, S., Moy, L. (eds) Breast Oncology: Techniques, Indications, and Interpretation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42563-4_7

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