Third-look contrast-enhanced ultrasonography plus needle biopsy for differential diagnosis of magnetic resonance imaging-only detected breast lesions

This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10396-023-01298-8.

Research has shown that in approximately 20–30% of cases, breast lesions that were not detected on mammography (MG) or ultrasonography (US) were incidentally found during preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination for breast cancer. MRI-guided needle biopsy is recommended or considered for such MRI-only detected breast lesions invisible on second-look US, but many facilities in Japan cannot perform this biopsy procedure because it is expensive and time consuming. Thus, a simpler and more accessible diagnostic method is needed. Two studies to date have shown that third-look contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) plus needle biopsy for MRI-only detected breast lesions (i.e., MRI + /MG-/US-) that were not detected on second-look US showed moderate/high sensitivity (57.1 and 90.9%) and high specificity (100.0% in both studies) with no severe complications. In addition, the identification rate was higher for MRI-only lesions with a higher MRI BI-RADS category (i.e., category 4/5) than for those with a lower category (i.e., category 3). Despite the fact that there are limitations in our literature review, CEUS plus needle biopsy is a feasible and convenient diagnostic tool for MRI-only lesions invisible on second-look US and is expected to reduce the frequency of MRI-guided needle biopsy. When third-look CEUS does not reveal MRI-only lesions, a further indication for MRI-guided needle biopsy should be considered according to the BI-RADS category.