Image-guided core breast biopsy of ductal carcinoma in situ presenting as a non-calcified abnormality.

OBJECTIVE

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) typically presents as calcifications which are detected mammographically. Our aim was to evaluate the less common presentations of ductal carcinoma in situ diagnosed by image-guided core biopsy and correlate with histopathologic diagnoses.

METHODS AND MATERIAL: Imaging and histopathologic findings were retrospectively reviewed in 11 patients with ductal carcinoma in situ diagnosed at core biopsy that presented as noncalcified radiographic abnormalities.

RESULTS

Mammography showed non-calcified, circumscribed nodules, ill-defined nodules and architectural distortion. In two patients, no mammographic abnormality was detected. Sonography showed circumscribed, round or oval, solid masses; irregular, heterogeneous masses; and a tubular structure. Histopathologic diagnoses included multiple architectural subtypes and ranged from low to high nuclear grade.

CONCLUSION

Although image-guided core biopsy diagnosis of ductal carcinoma is typically made when sampling calcifications, DCIS can be diagnosed following biopsy of non-calcified masses or distortion. There is no correlation between histopathologic subtype and radiologic appearance.