Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) mammography is useful in evaluation of the contralateral breast in patients with diagnosed unilateral breast cancer or high-risk lesions, according to Italian researchers. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) mammography is useful in evaluation of the contralateral breast in patients with diagnosed unilateral breast cancer or high-risk lesions, according to Italian researchers.

In the June issue of Radiology, Dr. Federica Pediconi of La Sapienza University, Rome and colleagues note that these women may be at five times greater risk of developing a tumor than those in the general population.

To determine whether contrast-enhanced MR mammography might be more effective than conventional techniques in detecting such cancer, the researchers employed the approach in 118 women with a mean age of 52.

All had unilateral breast cancer or high-risk lesions and negative findings in the contralateral breast at physical examination, ultrasonography, and conventional mammography.

Contrast-enhanced MRI detected solitary contralateral lesions in 28 (24 per cent) of patients. In total, 22 of the lesions were histologically confirmed as malignant. The remaining six were fibroadenomas.

There were no false negatives. Follow-up of 90 patients for up to 24 months confirmed the absence of contralateral lesions in those who had had negative findings.

With a sensitivity of 100 per cent and a specificity of 94 per cent, the researchers thus conclude that the technique is "is superior to conventional mammography and high-frequency-transducer ultrasound for the depiction of contralateral breast cancer or high-risk lesions.

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