The features of breast lymphoma on MRI.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the morphological features of breast lymphoma (BL) on MRI.

METHODS

MRI features of 20 patients with BL (12 primary and 8 secondary) were reviewed according to Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System categories.

RESULTS

19 cases were unilateral and 1 was bilateral. According to the enhanced images, of the 20 cases, BL presented as a mass in 11 (55%), as an enhancement with no mass effect in 7 (35%) and as a mass and mixed enhancement with no mass effect in 2 (10%). There were 38 masses and 44 lesions with no mass effect in our study. All lesions showed mild heterogeneous internal enhancement. For lesions with mass effect, the margins were smooth in 32% (12/38) and irregular in 68% (26/38); and the shape was oval in 87% (32/38). Kinetic curve assessment (13 cases, 38 lesions) revealed that the average initial rise rate was 104%. The type II enhancement curve appeared in 55% (21/38) of lesions. No significant differences between the primary and secondary BL were observed for any of the MRI features.

CONCLUSION

BL mostly appeared oval with irregular margins showing mild heterogeneous internal enhancement and/or as enhanced lesions with no mass effect with mild heterogeneous internal enhancement.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

Some special features on MRI are useful for the diagnosis of BL.