Diagnostic Approach to Developing Asymmetry in Opportunist Screening Mammography; Correlation of Ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Histopathologic Findings with Developing Asymmetry: A Cross-sectional Study

Developing asymmetries are uncommon mammographic findings with a chance of being associated with malignancy.

The current study aimed at correlating ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and histopathology of patients with developing focal asymmetry in opportunist screening mammograms setting, and presents a diagnostic approach to developing asymmetry.

This was a cross-sectional study on a database of opportunist screening mammography at the Breast Clinic, Cancer Center, at Tehran University of Medical Sciences from January 2017 to December 2018. Mammogram screenings (n = 12,169) were evaluated for developing asymmetry. Findings of mammography, ultrasound, MRI findings, and histopathology of patients with developing asymmetry were collected and analyzed.

Fifty-four cases (0.44%) had developed asymmetry in screening mammograms. After excluding 18 patients with considering exclusion criteria, the data of 36 patients were analyzed. The summation artifact was the etiology of developing asymmetry in 11 (30.5%) patients. Ultrasound was performed in 28 patients, and 14 (38.8%) patients had no correlated findings. All 3 malignant cases had ultrasound correlates, and a significant association existed between sonography and the risk of malignancy in patients having developing asymmetry (P = 0.003). Three malignant cases of the study underwent MRI, 1 with segmental clumped non-mass enhancement, and 2 showed a mass with rim enhancement. A significant association was revealed between a family history of breast cancer (P = 0.04) and developing asymmetry. The positive predictive value of developing asymmetry for malignancy was 8.3%.

Patients having developing asymmetry should be evaluated for malignancy, using supplementary techniques, such as additional mammographic views, ultrasound primarily, or MRI. A biopsy is required for indeterminate findings.