Non-enhancing asymmetries on screening contrast-enhanced mammography: Is further diagnostic workup required? Journal Article


Authors: Nissan, N.; Reiner, J. S.; Mango, V. L.; Fruchtman-Brot, H.; Albiztegui, R. E. O.; Arita, Y.; Gluskin, J.; Amir, T.; Feigin, K.; Jochelson, M. S.; Sung, J. S.
Article Title: Non-enhancing asymmetries on screening contrast-enhanced mammography: Is further diagnostic workup required?
Abstract: Objectives: Asymmetries on screening contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) often lead to patient recall. However, in diagnostic settings, negative CEM has effectively classified these as normal or benign, questioning the need for further workup of non-enhancing asymmetries (NEAs). Material and methods: A computational search of all screening CEM examinations performed between December-2012 and June-2021 was conducted to identify cases reporting NEAs. Their diagnostic workup was reviewed, and the positive predictive value for cancer was statistically compared to that of enhancing asymmetries on screening CEMs. Results: During the study period, 97 cases of 106 NEAs were identified among 3,482 screening CEM exams (2.8 %). NEAs were classified as asymmetry (n = 83), focal asymmetry (n = 22), and global asymmetry (n = 1), with no cases of developing asymmetry. The mean size of NEAs was 1.0 ± 0.7 cm (range: 0.3–4.9 cm). Diagnostic workup for NEAs included additional mammographic views (AMV) (n = 63), AMV plus ultrasound (n = 30), AMV plus MRI (n = 1), and all three modalities (n = 3), leading to four biopsies. None of the NEAs were malignant on follow-up, as opposed to enhancing asymmetries (P < 0.05). Conclusion: NEAs detected on CEM were relatively uncommon and were usually investigated with additional mammographic views and US, yielding no cancer. Ruling out malignancy based on lack of enhancement without further workup may reduce patient recall rates and improve CEMs specificity. © 2024
Keywords: adult; aged; major clinical study; nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; follow up; breast cancer; prevalence; cancer screening; retrospective study; risk factor; biopsy; ultrasound; risk; health insurance; mammography; screening; breast tumor; echography; computer model; fibroadenoma; predictive value; breast density; breast neoplasm; human; male; female; article; contrast-enhanced mammography; contrast enhanced mammography; cranial caudal axis
Journal Title: European Journal of Radiology
Volume: 183
ISSN: 0720-048X
Publisher: Elsevier B.V  
Date Published: 2025-02-01
Start Page: 111883
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2024.111883
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 39674099
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Kimberly Nicole Feigin
    33 Feigin
  2. Janice Sinae Sung
    68 Sung
  3. Maxine Jochelson
    134 Jochelson
  4. Victoria Lee Mango
    66 Mango
  5. Jill Stacey Gluskin
    26 Gluskin
  6. Tali Amir
    13 Amir
  7. Jeffrey S Reiner
    16 Reiner
  8. Yuki Arita
    18 Arita
  9. Noam Nissan
    9 Nissan