Incidental liver lesions on baseline breast MRI: Outcomes on subsequent abdominal imaging Journal Article


Authors: Gluskin, J.; Eliades, S.; Raj, A.; Sevilimedu, V.; Do, R. K. G.
Article Title: Incidental liver lesions on baseline breast MRI: Outcomes on subsequent abdominal imaging
Abstract: Purpose: To examine outcomes of incidental liver lesions on baseline breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that were further evaluated with dedicated abdominal imaging. Methods: Consecutive breast MRI reports from 2011 to 2016 were retrospectively reviewed to identify incidental liver lesions. Only patients without prior breast MRI, without prior abdominal imaging, and with subsequent abdominal imaging were included. Patient demographics, breast MRI indication, and final liver lesion diagnosis were recorded. Results: Of 131 women (mean age 53.8 years), 94/131 (71.8%) underwent breast MRI for extent of disease evaluation, 25/131 (19.1%) for high-risk screening, 11/131 (8.4%) for implant evaluation, and 1/131 (0.8%) for problem-solving. Of 131 liver lesions (6–80 mm), 117/131 (89.3%) were deemed benign on subsequent abdominal imaging; 10/131 (7.6%) probably benign; and 4/131 lesions (3.1%) were confirmed breast cancer metastases. Metastatic liver lesions identified on breast MRI were more likely for women with a current diagnosis of breast cancer than for women without a current diagnosis of breast cancer: 4.3% vs 0%. Similarly, metastatic liver lesions identified on breast MRI were more likely for those with a higher prognostic stage (2 or 3) vs a lower prognostic stage (0 or 1) or no current breast cancer: 11.1% vs 0%. Conclusion: Baseline breast MRIs showing incidental liver lesions showed unsuspected liver metastases only in women with a current diagnosis of clinical stage 2 or 3 breast cancer. This suggests breast MRI indication and clinical staging of current breast cancer, if present, can help plan management and decisions to obtain follow-up of liver lesions. © 2022 Elsevier Inc.
Keywords: magnetic resonance imaging; breast cancer; pathology; liver; medical imaging; diagnosis; diseases; breast mri; risk screening; hepatic; extent of disease; problem-solving; liver lesions; breast magnetic-resonance imaging; abdominal imaging; 'current; mean ages
Journal Title: Clinical Imaging
Volume: 84
ISSN: 0899-7071
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 2022-04-01
Start Page: 130
End Page: 134
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2022.02.009
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 35193080
PMCID: PMC9032601
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 March 2022 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Kinh Gian Do
    257 Do
  2. Jill Stacey Gluskin
    26 Gluskin
  3. Aradhna Raj
    3 Raj