ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility of contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) of
the breast for assessing the size of residual tumors after neoadjuvant
chemotherapy (NAC).Materials and methodsIn breast cancer patients who underwent NAC between 2011 and 2013, we
evaluated residual tumor measurements obtained with CESM and full-field
digital mammography (FFDM). We determined the concordance between the
methods, as well as their level of agreement with the pathology. Three
radiologists analyzed eight CESM and FFDM measurements separately,
considering the size of the residual tumor at its largest diameter and
correlating it with that determined in the pathological analysis.
Interobserver agreement was also evaluated.ResultsThe sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative
predictive value were higher for CESM than for FFDM (83.33%, 100%, 100%, and
66% vs. 50%, 50%, 50%, and 25%, respectively). The CESM measurements showed
a strong, consistent correlation with the pathological findings (correlation
coefficient = 0.76-0.92; intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.692-0.886).
The correlation between the FFDM measurements and the pathological findings
was not statistically significant, with questionable consistency (intraclass
correlation coefficient = 0.488-0.598). Agreement with the pathological
findings was narrower for CESM measurements than for FFDM measurements.
Interobserver agreement was higher for CESM than for FFDM (0.94 vs.
0.88).ConclusionCESM is a feasible means of evaluating residual tumor size after NAC, showing
a good correlation and good agreement with pathological findings. For CESM
measurements, the interobserver agreement was excellent.