Peripheral hyperintense pattern on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in breast carcinoma: correlation with early peripheral enhancement on dynamic MRI and histopathologic findings.

PURPOSE

To investigate the correlation between the peripheral hyperintense pattern of breast carcinoma on T2-weighted images (T2WI) and the early peripheral enhancement (EPE) on dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to examine the histological characteristics involved in the causes thereof.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The signal intensity of 131 breast carcinomas of common type on T2WI was classified into four types and the correlations between the signal intensity and the histopathological subtypes were evaluated. We investigated correlation with the peripheral hyperintense pattern on a T2WI and other findings on MR images including EPE. In addition, we also investigated the histopathological characteristics in the lesions with a peripheral hyperintense pattern.

RESULTS

The signal intensities of the lesions on T2WI demonstrated hyperintensity, isointensity, hypointensity, and a peripheral hyperintense pattern in 26 (20%), 66 (50%), 19 (15%), and 20 (15%) lesions, respectively. A peripheral hyperintense pattern correlated with the appearance of EPE (P < 0.0001) and the degree of central fibrosis (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

A peripheral hyperintense pattern on T2WI is a characteristic finding observed in breast carcinomas and correlated with the appearance of EPE. The appearance of a peripheral hyperintense pattern was affected by various histopathological features in the same manner as that observed for the formation of EPE.