Objective: To evaluate and discuss the indications for breast magnetic resonance imaging in an oncology reference center. Materials and Methods: Retrospective study approved by the Committee for Ethics in Research of the institution and developed through a review of patients’ records and clinical reports. All the breast magnetic resonance studies performed in the period from July 2008 to July 2009 (n = 529) were included. Results: Mean patients’ age was 49 years, ranging from 17 to 86 years. Family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer was present in 162 patients (30.6%). Most common indications for breast magnetic resonance imaging included inconclusive mammographic/sonographic findings (48.8%), evaluation of tumor recurrence/surgical scar after breast surgery (15.1%), disease staging/surgical planning (11.7%) and screening in high-risk patients (8.5%). Conclusion: In spite of inconclusive findings at conventional imaging studies being the most common indication for breast magnetic resonance imaging, there is no evidence in the literature supporting such a conduct. Because of its high sensitivity and high rate of false positive results, magnetic resonance imaging should be appropriately indicated in order to avoid unnecessary procedures. Once such method is appropriately indicated, it may contribute in the decision making process, constituting an essential tool in the assessment of breast lesions.

Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging; Breast neoplasms; Early detection of cancer.

Primary ovarian carcinoma rarely metastasizes to the breast, and few cases are described in the literature. The authors report the case of a patient with ovarian carcinoma that developed breast metastasis eight years after the initial diagnosis, and present a literature review on this subject, emphasizing imaging findings.

Keywords: Ovarian carcinoma; Breast metastasis; Imaging findings.

Gastrostomy is indicated for patients with conditions that do not allow adequate oral nutrition. To reduce the morbidity and costs associated with the procedure, there is a trend toward the use of percutaneous gastrostomy, guided by endoscopy, fluoroscopy, or, most recently, computed tomography. The purpose of this paper was to review the computed tomography-guided gastrostomy procedure, as well as the indications for its use and the potential complications.

Keywords: Gastrostomy; Radiology, interventional; Tomography, X-ray computed.

Historically, radiology has developed in a way that has increasingly distanced the radiologist from the patient. Currently, diagnostic imaging results are predominantly communicated through written reports. Written communication is not considered sufficient, verbal communication being essential for the performance of the modern radiologist to be considered satisfactory. However, a lack of preparation on the part of the radiologist when communicating the diagnosis, especially when it is not favorable (as is often the case in a cancer hospital), makes that conversation quite challenging. Studies conducted in other countries have demonstrated that there are a variety of opinions on the part of requesting physicians and patients regarding radiologist-patient communication, which can be explained by cultural differences. Although there is no rule regarding the best way to accomplish such communication, there are definitely incorrect ways. To bridge the gap between radiologists and patients and improve radiologist-patient communication, preparation of radiologists during their medical residency is fundamental. Therefore, it is important to address this question in Brazil. The objective of this study was to identify deeper discussions about the topic in the scientific literature. This analysis could help us map those involved and plan strategies to improve the ethical behavior of radiologists toward their patients.

Keywords: Radiology; Physician-patient relations; Diagnostic imaging; Ethics.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breasts in the identification of a pathological complete response in patients with breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective, observational study designed to validate a diagnostic test. The following variables were evaluated: age; results of the histological and immunohistochemical analysis of the biopsy; post-NAC MRI findings; and results of the histological analysis of the surgical specimen, using the residual cancer burden index. The radiological response, as assessed by MRI, was compared with the pathological response, as assessed by histological analysis of the surgical specimen (the gold standard method). RESULTS: We evaluated 310 tumors in 308 patients. The mean age of the patients was 47 years (range, 27–85 years). For identifying a pathological complete response, breast MRI had an overall accuracy of 79%, with a sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 83%, positive predictive value of 75%, and negative predictive value of 83%. When that accuracy was stratified by molecular subtype, it was best for the HER2 subtype, with a sensitivity and specificity of 82% and 89%, respectively, followed by the triple-negative subtype, with a sensitivity and specificity of 78% and 83%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Breast MRI showed good accuracy in the prediction of a pathological complete response after NAC. The sensitivity and positive predictive value were highest for the HER2 and triple-negative subtypes.

Keywords: Breast neoplasms; Drug therapy, combination; Magnetic resonance imaging; Triple negative breast neoplasms; Receptor, ErbB-2.

OBJECTIVE: To compare ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-DPhe1,Tyr3-octreotate (⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE) positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) findings with those of conventional ¹¹¹In-octreotide scintigraphy in patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-center prospective study including 41 patients (25 males; mean age, 55.4 years) with biopsy-proven NETs who underwent whole-body ¹¹¹In-octreotide scintigraphy and whole-body ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT. The patients had been referred for tumor staging (34.1%), tumor restaging (61.0%), or response evaluation (4.9%). Images were compared in a patient-by-patient analysis to identify additional lesions, and we attempted to determine the impact that discordant findings had on treatment planning. RESULTS: Compared with ¹¹¹In-octreotide scintigraphy, ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT revealed more lesions, the additional lesions typically being in the liver or bowel. Changes in management owing to the additional information provided by ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT occurred in five patients (12.2%), including intermodal changes in three (7.3%) and intramodal changes in two (4.9%). In addition, ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT yielded incidental findings unrelated to the primary NET in three patients (7.3%): Hürthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid, bowel non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and a suspicious breast lesion. CONCLUSION: We conclude that ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT is superior to conventional ¹¹¹In-octreotide scintigraphy for the management of NETs because of its ability to determine the extent of the disease more accurately, which, in some cases, translates to changes in the treatment plan.

Keywords: Carcinoma, neuroendocrine/diagnostic imaging; Positron-emission tomography/methods; Tomography, X-ray computed/methods; Radionuclide imaging/methods.