ABSTRACT Objective To develop an abbreviated breast magnetic resonance imaging protocol (FAST) and to compare it with the complete protocol (FULL) to determine its diagnostic accuracy for detecting malignant or suspicious lesions (BI-RADS 4, 5 and 6) and the time required for image interpretation using BI-RADS categorization. Methods Retrospective study with 100 consecutive women who underwent breast magnetic resonance imaging between January and February 2014. All patients were submitted to a complete breast magnetic resonance imaging protocol, which was then compared with an abbreviated protocol (pre-contrast sequence, second post-contrast sequence and subtraction of pre- from post-contrast images). Results Of 100 patients, 4 were classified as BI-RADS 5 or 6 and 16 as BI-RADS 4. In these 20 patients, there was full agreement among readers regarding the final BI-RADS categorization in both (FAST and FULL) protocols. Conclusion The FAST protocol reduces interpretation time without compromising the accuracy of the method for detection of malignant or suspicious lesions.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar o impacto da pandemia da COVID-19 no diagnóstico de câncer de mama em um centro de imagem de mama. Métodos Estudo de coorte retrospectivo que incluiu mulheres submetidas a exames e procedimentos de mama em um hospital privado em São Paulo, SP, Brasil, no período de medidas mais rigorosas de isolamento social em 2020 (dividido em primeiro período, de 24 de março a 21 de junho de 2020, e em segundo período, de 22 de junho a 31 de dezembro de 2020), comparado com o mesmo período de 2019. Foram analisados o número de exames, as taxas de detecção de câncer, os achados patológicos e os fatores de risco. Resultados Foram incluídas 32.144 pacientes. Os exames e os procedimentos de imagem da mama em 2020 tiveram redução de 78,9% no primeiro período e 2,7% no segundo período. Ao final de 2020, foram diagnosticadas com câncer de mama seis pacientes a menos do que em 2019, embora o número de pacientes submetidas à mamografia tenha sido 35% menor. Conclusão Houve queda no número de exames de mama e de diagnósticos de câncer nos primeiros 90 dias da pandemia. A redução dos diagnósticos de câncer foi parcialmente compensada no segundo período, mas o número de pacientes submetidas a exames de mamografia até o final do ano foi menor, considerando ainda um grande número de pacientes com exames atrasados.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer diagnosis in a breast imaging center. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study that included women submitted to breast exams and procedures in a private hospital in São Paulo, SP, Brazil, as from the period of most strict social isolation measures, in 2020 (separated in first period of social isolation, March 24 to June 21, 2020, and second period, June 22 to December 31, 2020), as compared to the same period in 2019. The number of exams, cancer detection rates, pathologic findings and risk factors were analyzed. Results A total of 32,144 patients were included in the study. Breast imaging exams and procedures decreased by 78.9% in the first period, and 2.7% in the second period, in 2020. By the end of 2020, the number of breast cancer lesions detected was just six cases less than in 2019, although the number of patients submitted to mammograms was 35% lower. Conclusion There was a drop in number of breast exams and cancer diagnoses in the first 90 days of the pandemic. The decrease in diagnosis of cancer was partially compensated in the second period, but the number of patients submitted to mammograms by the end of 2020 was lower, still considering a large number of patients with delayed exams.