Radiology Management of a ‘Breast Unit’ During COVID-19 Pandemic: a Single Institution Experience

Abstract

Aim: To describe the activity in the ‘breast unit’ at the department of radiology during the coronavirus disease 19 lockdown in a university hospital treating coronovirus disease 19 patients in a Middle-Eastern developing country. Materials: This was a retrospective study conducted from March 9 until 11 May 2020, in the breast unit at the department of radiology of a central university hospital in a Middle-Eastern developing country. Data were collected from 205 patients visiting the breast unit during the lockdown period and compared with the activity in the same period in the previous year. Results: Reduction of the breast unit activity was estimated at 73%. In addition, 153 mammograms, 205 ultrasounds, and 16 breast MRIs were done. Indications for mammogram were screening (41.5%), follow-up (22%), clinical symptoms (20%) and breast cancer surveillance (16.5%). MRI was performed mostly for preoperative surgical management. The rate of positive biopsies was 41%. All staff members and patients have accommodated to new adjustments. Conclusion: Activity in the breast unit dropped during the lockdown period. Staff should continue to seek their own and their patient’s safety without diminishing the quality of healthcare.

A systematic review of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening and diagnosis

“…An initial 2451 citations were identified for title and abstract screening, of which 77 were eligible for inclusion ( Fig. 1 ) [ [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] , [32] , [33] , [34] , [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] , [42] , [43] , [44] , [45] , [46] , [47] , [48] , [49] , [50] , [51] , [52] , [53] , [54] , [55] , [56] , [57] , [58] , [59] , [60] , [61] , [62] , [63] , [64] , [65] , [66] , [67] , [68] , [69] , [70] , [71] , [72] , [73] , [74] , [75] ,…”

The Utilization and Benefits of Telehealth Services by Health Care Professionals Managing Breast Cancer Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Salem et al performed a retrospective study at a breast imaging unit at a university hospital from March to May 2020 and reported that there was a 73% reduction in overall breast unit activity comprising mammograms, MRIs and ultrasounds. Screenings and BCa surveillance were two of the indications for mammogram and it was noted that radiology staff made significant adjusts in ensuring continued quality care whilst maintaining patients' safety [32]. In another study which conducted a risk assessment of the use of three BCa services including breast surgery and breast imaging in February-April 2020, there was significant decrease in breast imaging with a mean weekly reduction of 61.7% [33].…”

A systemmatic literature review on indirect costs of women with breast cancer

“…It should also be kept in mind that almost all the studies carried out considered the natural history of disease in diagnosis and treatment. After the outbreak of the Covid-19, studies have been conducted on the changes in the course of the disease and the delay in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, which has also affected the indirect costs of the disease [ 70 – 72 ].…”