Imaging May Differentiate Benign From Malignant Breast and Lymph Node Lesions

CHICAGO, November 27, 2007 – Radiology faculty from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine are presenting findings of a number of studies at RSNA 2007, the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. Scientific sessions continue through Nov. 30 at McCormick Place, Chicago. Among the presented findings:

Diffusion-weighted imaging may have utility for distinguishing malignant lesions from benign ones in breast and nearby lymph node tissue, Stephen Thomas, MD, former Pitt resident; Jules Sumkin, DO, chief of radiology at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC; and colleagues report. Imaging series using a 1.5 Tesla magnet and 8-channel breast coil were evaluated for 58 malignant lesions, 10 benign lesions, six lesions in patients undergoing cancer therapy and 87 normal tissue controls. Twenty-eight malignant and 71 benign axillary lymph nodes also were examined. Mathematical values called apparent diffusion coefficient were significantly lower for malignant lesions compared to benign or normal tissue, and significantly higher for lesions in patients undergoing cancer treatment compared to untreated lesions. This association also held true for lymph nodes, suggesting that such imaging could help to differentiate cancer from benign conditions and evaluate the extent of disease.
Session Code SSJ01-04

Other presentations from the Pitt group include new research regarding vascular and interventional imaging for evaluation of aortic aneurysm for surgery, efficacy of liver cancer treatment and epileptic seizure activity, as well as numerous educational exhibits.

The department of radiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is one of the world’s largest and most diverse academic radiology departments. The faculty and staff are dedicated to exemplary patient care, groundbreaking research and training of the next generation of radiologists in association with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Some of the greatest advances in the field of radiology have happened in the hospitals and clinics of UPMC and the department continues to build on its rich history of innovation.

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