Incidental detection of clinically unexpected breast lesions by computed tomography

BackgroundIncreased use of computed tomography (CT) has resulted in greater detection of incidental breast lesions unrelated to the primary diagnostic inquiry.PurposeTo investigate the morphology and clinical significance of breast abnormalities detected incidentally by conventional CT.Material and MethodsA total of 2945 female patients underwent CT examinations of the body, including the chest, from May 2006 to April 2010. Two radiologists interpreted these CT scans independently and pointed out a mass or non-mass-like lesion as abnormalities in the breast. Patients who incidentally showed breast lesions on CT scans were identified by a computer-based search of the diagnostic reports and were enrolled in this study. The morphology and enhancement patterns of CT-detected breast lesions were evaluated according to BI-RADS-MRI.ResultsIn total, 32 clinically unexpected abnormal breast lesions were found in 31 (1.1%) patients. Twenty-nine of the 32 lesions were detected by contrast-enhanced CT and three by un...