Stromal Fibrosis of the Breast: A Spectrum of Benign to Malignant Imaging Appearances

Objectives. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the various imaging appearances of stromal fibrosis on mammography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Material and Methods. This study included 75 female patients who presented to the American University of Beirut Medical Center bet...

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Main Authors: Lara Nassar, Amro Baassiri, Fatima Salah, Andrew Barakat, Elie Najem, Fouad Boulos, Ghina Berjawi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2019-01-01
Series:Radiology Research and Practice
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/5045908
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author Lara Nassar
Amro Baassiri
Fatima Salah
Andrew Barakat
Elie Najem
Fouad Boulos
Ghina Berjawi
author_facet Lara Nassar
Amro Baassiri
Fatima Salah
Andrew Barakat
Elie Najem
Fouad Boulos
Ghina Berjawi
author_sort Lara Nassar
collection DOAJ
description Objectives. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the various imaging appearances of stromal fibrosis on mammography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Material and Methods. This study included 75 female patients who presented to the American University of Beirut Medical Center between January 2010 and October 2015 for breast imaging. 66 (88%) patients obtained a mammogram, 71 (95%) had an ultrasound, and 6 (8%) had an MRI. Patients included had stromal fibrosis proven on biopsy. Results. The most common finding on mammogram was calcifications which was present in 14 (21%) patients, while on ultrasound it was a mass which was present in 61 (86%) patients. A mass was detected on MRI in 2 (33.5%) patients. Most lesions detected had benign findings such as masses with circumscribed margins. We had a follow-up for 53 (71%) patients with an average follow-up interval of 28.5 months (range: 5 – 70). Increase in size of the index lesion was noted in only 2 patients; upon rebiopsy, pathology results read stromal fibrosis for one lesion and fibroadenoma for the other. The remaining lesions were either stable or decreased in size. The higher detection rate of a mass on ultrasound was statistically significant (p<0.001) in comparison to that of mammography. Conclusion. Stromal fibrosis can have various presentations on imaging from benign to suspicious for malignancy features. In the case of accurate targeted biopsy, when stromal fibrosis is diagnosed, the result can be considered concordant. Therefore, such lesions can be followed up by imaging to document stability and confirm benignity.
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spelling doaj-art-53f17bcd2f244c2b8f9226ba7c66af8d2025-08-20T02:05:24ZengWileyRadiology Research and Practice2090-19412090-195X2019-01-01201910.1155/2019/50459085045908Stromal Fibrosis of the Breast: A Spectrum of Benign to Malignant Imaging AppearancesLara Nassar0Amro Baassiri1Fatima Salah2Andrew Barakat3Elie Najem4Fouad Boulos5Ghina Berjawi6Department of Diagnostic Radiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, LebanonDepartment of Diagnostic Radiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, LebanonDepartment of Diagnostic Radiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, LebanonDepartment of Diagnostic Radiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, LebanonDepartment of Diagnostic Radiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, LebanonDepartment of Pathology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, LebanonDepartment of Diagnostic Radiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, LebanonObjectives. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the various imaging appearances of stromal fibrosis on mammography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Material and Methods. This study included 75 female patients who presented to the American University of Beirut Medical Center between January 2010 and October 2015 for breast imaging. 66 (88%) patients obtained a mammogram, 71 (95%) had an ultrasound, and 6 (8%) had an MRI. Patients included had stromal fibrosis proven on biopsy. Results. The most common finding on mammogram was calcifications which was present in 14 (21%) patients, while on ultrasound it was a mass which was present in 61 (86%) patients. A mass was detected on MRI in 2 (33.5%) patients. Most lesions detected had benign findings such as masses with circumscribed margins. We had a follow-up for 53 (71%) patients with an average follow-up interval of 28.5 months (range: 5 – 70). Increase in size of the index lesion was noted in only 2 patients; upon rebiopsy, pathology results read stromal fibrosis for one lesion and fibroadenoma for the other. The remaining lesions were either stable or decreased in size. The higher detection rate of a mass on ultrasound was statistically significant (p<0.001) in comparison to that of mammography. Conclusion. Stromal fibrosis can have various presentations on imaging from benign to suspicious for malignancy features. In the case of accurate targeted biopsy, when stromal fibrosis is diagnosed, the result can be considered concordant. Therefore, such lesions can be followed up by imaging to document stability and confirm benignity.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/5045908
spellingShingle Lara Nassar
Amro Baassiri
Fatima Salah
Andrew Barakat
Elie Najem
Fouad Boulos
Ghina Berjawi
Stromal Fibrosis of the Breast: A Spectrum of Benign to Malignant Imaging Appearances
Radiology Research and Practice
title Stromal Fibrosis of the Breast: A Spectrum of Benign to Malignant Imaging Appearances
title_full Stromal Fibrosis of the Breast: A Spectrum of Benign to Malignant Imaging Appearances
title_fullStr Stromal Fibrosis of the Breast: A Spectrum of Benign to Malignant Imaging Appearances
title_full_unstemmed Stromal Fibrosis of the Breast: A Spectrum of Benign to Malignant Imaging Appearances
title_short Stromal Fibrosis of the Breast: A Spectrum of Benign to Malignant Imaging Appearances
title_sort stromal fibrosis of the breast a spectrum of benign to malignant imaging appearances
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/5045908
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