PURPOSE: To evaluate the ultrasonographic and mammographic findings of cases of nodular adenosis. MATERIALS and METHODS: We evaluated 22 lesions with a pathologically proven nodular adenosis from five hospitals for three years. We excluded adenosis cases combined with other breast diseases. The findings of ultrasonography and mammography were retrospectively interpreted in consensus by two radiologists that were experienced in breast imaging according to the BI-RADS criteria. RESULTS: The age of the patients was 29-56 years with a mean age of 43.4 years. Ten lesions were biopsied with a 14-gauge core needle, seven lesions were biopsied with an 11-gauge vacuum-assisted mammotome and five lesions were removed by surgical excision. Mammography was performed in 15 patients and distinct abnormalities were seen in seven cases. These abnormalities consisted of an indistinct irregular mass, three circumscribed masses and three focal asymmetries. Calcifications were not seen in all of the masses. Ultrasonography was performed in 22 patients, revealing 13 irregular shaped lesions 8 oval shaped lesions and one round shape lesion. The margin was either circumscribed (n = 7) and not circumscribed (n = 15) in the lesions. The orientation of mass was parallel in 13 lesions and not parallel in 9 lesions. The boundary was an abrupt interface in all of the cases. The echogenecity of the mass was hypoechoic in 15 cases, isoechoic in 4 cases, hyperechoic in 2 cases and complex echogenic in one case. Nineteen of the cases showed no posterior feature and one case showed combined features. The final categories by the BI-RADS criteria were category 3 in three cases and category 4 in 19 cases (C4a 11, C4b 8). CONCLUSION: Nodular adenosis mostly presents as category 4 on ultrasonography. Therefore, a differential diagnosis with malignancy is difficult to determine. However, the findings of lesions highly suggestive of being malignant such as a spiculation or echogenic halo, are rare. On mammography, it is commonly obscured.
Breast ; Breast Diseases ; Consensus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Mammography ; Needles ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the learning achievement and satisfaction levels for the Field Epidemiology Specialist Training Program (FESTP), on infectious disease control between March 19 and October 31, 2002. METHODS: The FESTP was designed as a set of 84 hours curricula including lectures, discussions, self-studies, and field practicals, and organized both centrally and locally by the Division of Communicable Disease Control of the National Institute of Health and 11 universities. Before and after the program, a questionnaire survey on the educational need (49 items) and satisfaction (15 items) was conducted on 484 trainees, who were responsible for communicable disease control and immunization at 242 regional health centers. The data were analyzed with paired t-tests for comparison of the educational needs between the pre and post scores. RESULTS: The average score for satisfaction was 3.06 out of 5.0; with relatively higher scores for sincerity (4.10) and professionalism (4.01) of the tutors, adequacy (3.54) and clearness (3.51) of the evaluation criteria, usefulness (3.54) and fitness (3.52) of the contents, but with relatively lower satisfaction for schedule (2.96) and self-studies (2.91). The average for requirement for education improved, as shown by the decrease from 2.72 to 2.22 (p< .0001) with the biggest decrease in the outbreak investigation from 2.60 to 2.08. CONCLUSION: The FESTP was evaluated as being effective, the trainees showed moderate satisfaction and decrease educational needs. However, the actual schedules and self-studies should be rearranged to improve the satisfaction level.
Appointments and Schedules ; Communicable Disease Control ; Communicable Diseases ; Curriculum ; Education* ; Epidemiology* ; Immunization ; Learning ; Lectures ; Professionalism ; Specialization*