Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of single axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer: Emphasis on the location of lymph nodes

To evaluate the frequency and location of abnormal lymph nodes (LNs) in breast cancer patients with a single axillary lymph node (ALN) metastasis on breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We retrospectively reviewed the MRI findings of 219 consecutive patients with breast cancer with single ALN metastasis who were surgically confirmed at our institution between January 2018 and December 2018. The morphological features and locations of the abnormal LN on MRI were analyzed. Pathology reports were reviewed to evaluate the size of the metastases and whether they were sentinel LNs (SLNs). Of the 219 patients with a single ALN metastasis, 56 (25.6%) showed abnormal MRI findings. Of these, 54 (96.4%) had either the lowest or second-lowest LN in the level I axilla. In 184 (91.5%) of 201 patients who underwent SLN biopsy, the metastatic LN were SLN. Macrometastases were found more frequently in cases with abnormal LNs than in those with normal-looking LNs (P = .004). The most frequent morphological feature of metastatic ALNs was a diffuse cortical thickening of 3 to 5 mm (37.5%). Although MRI findings of single ALN metastasis in breast cancer patients are none or minimal, abnormalities are observed in the lowest or second-lowest LN in the lower axilla when present, suggesting the location of the SLNs.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the frequency and location of abnormal lymph nodes (LNs) in breast cancer patients with a single axillary lymph node (ALN) metastasis using breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The findings showed that abnormal LN were commonly located in the lowest or second-lowest position in level I axilla. Pathology reports indicated that the metastases were often sentinel LNs (SLNs), and macrometastases were more prevalent in cases with abnormal LNs. The most frequent morphological feature of metastatic ALNs was diffuse cortical thickening.