Value of subspecialist second opinion reads of (18)F-FDG PET-CT examinations for patients with breast cancer Journal Article


Authors: Fardanesh, R.; Beavers, K.; Jochelson, M. S.; Ulaner, G. A.
Article Title: Value of subspecialist second opinion reads of (18)F-FDG PET-CT examinations for patients with breast cancer
Abstract: Objectives Determine if subspecialist second opinion review alters reporting of malignancy on 18F-FDG PET/CT for patients with breast cancer. Methods This IRB-approved retrospective study compared 248 s opinion reads of 18F-FDG PET/CT exams performed for patients with breast cancer against the original outside institution reports. Subspecialist reviews documented if malignant findings on the outside report were believed to be malignant and noted additional malignant findings not described on the outside report. Reference standard for malignancy or benignity was determined by pathology or follow-up imaging. Results Of 248 cases, 27 (11%) had discrepancies in the presence or absence of extra-axillary nodal or distant metastases. Of these 27, 14 (52%) had biopsy or imaging follow-up as a reference standard for malignancy/benignity. In cases with reference standard proof, the subspecialist second opinion review was correct in 13/14 (93%) of cases. This included eleven cases that the original report called malignant, but the subspecialist review called benign and subsequently proven to be benign; as well as two metastases called on subspecialist review, but not on the original report, and subsequently biopsy proven to be metastases. In one case, the second opinion read called a suspicious lesion that was biopsy proven to be benign. Conclusion Subspecialist review improves the accuracy of diagnosis for the presence or absence of malignancy on FDG PET/CT examinations in patients with breast cancer. This demonstrates the value of performing second opinion reads of 18F-FDG PET/CT studies in patients with breast cancer, particularly by subspecialist second opinion review reducing false positive reads. © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: adult; aged; retrospective studies; major clinical study; cancer patient; positron emission tomography; follow up; radiopharmaceuticals; breast cancer; pathology; diagnostic imaging; breast neoplasms; retrospective study; distant metastasis; standard; breast tumor; fluorodeoxyglucose f 18; fluorodeoxyglucose f18; positron-emission tomography; radiopharmaceutical agent; referral and consultation; medical specialist; patient referral; fdg; pet/ct; procedures; second opinion; humans; human; male; female; article; positron emission tomography-computed tomography; positron emission tomography computed tomography
Journal Title: Nuclear Medicine Communications
Volume: 44
Issue: 9
ISSN: 0143-3636
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 2023-09-01
Start Page: 825
End Page: 829
Language: English
DOI: 10.1097/mnm.0000000000001726
PUBMED: 37395540
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) acknowledged in PDF -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Gary Ulaner
    147 Ulaner
  2. Maxine Jochelson
    135 Jochelson