Senologie - Zeitschrift für Mammadiagnostik und -therapie 2005; 2 - A49
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-917718

Paget's disease of the breast: Findings at MR Imaging and histopathologic correlation

KA Frei 1, HM Bonel 2, K Kinkel 3
  • 1Inselspital Bern, Frauenklinik, Bern, Schweiz
  • 2Inselspital Bern, Radiologie, Bern, Schweiz
  • 3Hopital des Grangettes, Radiologie, Genf, Schweiz

Objectives:

The purpose of this article is to describe MR imaging findings in patients with Paget's disease of the breast and to evaluate mammography and MR imaging of the breast in the diagnosis of associated breast cancer.

Materials and Methods:

Ten patients with biopsy proven Paget's disease of the nipple underwent preoperative mammography and MR imaging of the breast in order to evaluate underlying breast cancer. All patients underwent subsequent surgery. The patients' charts and imaging studies were retrospectively reviewed. Imaging findings were correlated to results of histopathology

Results:

Histopathology confirmed Paget's disease of the nipple in all ten patients and diagnosed associated DCIS in the retroareolar lactiferous ducts in nine of ten patients (90%). MR imaging showed abnormal nipple enhancement in these nine patients with an ill-defined thickened nipple-areolar complex. DCIS elsewhere in the breast was diagnosed in four of ten patients (40%) corresponding to non focal enhancement in all four patients at MR imaging of the breast (100%).

Conclusions:

Paget's disease of the breast associated with underlying DCIS can be diagnosed at MR imaging of the breast and therefore impact management decisions.