Thursday 3 May 2012

Detection of breast cancer with addition of annual screening ultrasound

Detection of breast cancer with addition of annual screening ultrasound or a single screening MRI to mammography in women with elevated breast cancer risk. JAMA, 2012, Vol. 307(13), p.1394-1404.

Berg, W.A., et al.

http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/307/13/1394.short?rss=1

Annual ultrasound screening may detect small, node-negative breast cancers that are not seen on mammography. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may reveal additional breast cancers missed by both mammography and ultrasound screening.

Association between treatment with brachytherapy vs whole breast irradiation

Association between treatment with brachytherapy vs whole breast irradiation and subsequent mastectomy, complications, and survival among older women with invasive breast cancer. JAMA, 2012, Vol. 307(17), p.1827-1837.

Smith, G.L., et al.

http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/307/17/1827.short?rss=1

Brachytherapy is a radiation treatment that uses an implanted radioactive source. In recent years, use of breast brachytherapy after lumpectomy for early breast cancer has increased substantially despite a lack of randomized trial data comparing its effectiveness with standard whole-breast irradiation (WBI).

Are pfanennsteil scars a boon or a curse for DIEP flap breast reconstructions?

Are pfanennsteil scars a boon or a curse for DIEP flap breast reconstructions? Plastic and reconstructive surgery, April 2012, Vol. 129(4), p.797-805.

Mahajan, A.L., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Abstract/2012/04000/Are_Pfannenstiel_Scars_a_Boon_or_a_Curse_for_DIEP.1.aspx

Abdominal incisions and their subsequent scarring alter the vascular architecture of the abdominal pannus. This is of significance when reconstructing the breast with the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. This study aimed to objectively investigate the impact of the lower abdominal Pfannenstiel scar in utilizing the DIEP flap. 

Neglecting to screen women between the ages of 40-49 years with mammography

Neglecting to screen women between the ages of 40-49 years with mammography: What is the impact on breast cancer diagnosis?  AJR, May 2012, Vol. 198(5), p.1218-1222.

Kremer, M.E., et al.

http://www.ajronline.org/content/198/5/1218.abstract?rss=1

The purpose of this study was to compare breast cancer stage at diagnosis in two groups of women between 40 and 49 years old: women undergoing screening mammography and women with a symptom needing diagnostic workup. 

The use of acellular dermal matrix in immediate two-stage tissue expander breast reconstruction

The use of acellular dermal matrix in immediate two-stage tissue expander breast reconstruction.  Plastic & reconstructive surgery, May 2012, Vol. 129(5), p.1049-1058.

Weichman, K.E., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Fulltext/2012/05000/The_Use_of_Acellular_Dermal_Matrix_in_Immediate.5.aspx

Acellular dermal matrix is commonly used in implant-based breast reconstruction to allow for quicker tissue expansion with better coverage and definition of the lower pole of the breast. This study was performed to analyze complications associated with its use in immediate two-stage, implant-based breast reconstruction and to subsequently develop guidelines for its use.

Assessment of zonal perfusion using intraoperative angiography during abdominal flap breast reconstruction

Assessment of zonal perfusion using intraoperative angiography during abdominal flap breast reconstruction. Plastic & reconstructive surgery, April 2012, Vol. 129(4), p.618e-624.

Losken, A., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Abstract/2012/04000/Assessment_of_Zonal_Perfusion_Using_Intraoperative.5.aspx

There is an ongoing debate about the reliability of various lower abdominal flaps for breast reconstruction. The authors evaluate in vivo perfusion of these flaps to objectively determine which techniques and which skin island zones had better perfusion.

Implant-based two-stage breast reconstruction in the setting of radiation injury

Implant-based two-stage breast reconstruction in the setting of radiation injury: An outcome study. Plastic & reconstructive surgery, April 2012, Vol. 129(4), p.817-823.

Lin, K.Y., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Fulltext/2012/04000/Implant_Based,_Two_Stage_Breast_Reconstruction_in.6.aspx

More women with breast cancer who either have already had radiation therapy or will be getting radiation therapy as part of their treatment protocol are now seeking implant-based breast reconstruction. The literature on the success of this type of reconstruction in the setting of radiation injury is mixed.

Medullary carcinoma of the breast: MRI findings

Medullary carcinoma of the breast: MRI findings.  AJR, May 2012, Vol. 198(5), W482-487.

Jeong, S.J., et al.

http://www.ajronline.org/content/198/5/W482.abstract?rss=1

The objective of our study was to describe the MRI findings of medullary carcinoma of the breast and to correlate those findings with the histopathologic findings.