Pre-surgical Multiparametric Assessment of Breast Lesions Using 3-Tesla Magnetic Resonance.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate experience with multiparametric breast imaging on 3-Tesla magnetic resonance (3T-MRI) scanner using a dedicated 18-channel coil compared to histological findings in women after surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 100 women with 105 Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) 4 to 6 lesions by mammography who were examined using 3T-MRI and subsequently underwent surgery. MRI included non-contrast T1, T2 and T2 short tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequences, diffusion-weighted imaging with apparent diffusion coeficient maps, postcontrast dynamic study and single-voxel MRI spectroscopy. The results were compared to those of histopathological examination.

RESULTS

A sensitivity of 98.68% was found for the whole population, with a specificity of 86.20%. The most valuable findings were diffusion restriction with sensitivity of 90.79% and specificity of 89.66%, and increased choline in the spectrum with sensitivity of 68.42% and specificity of 93.10%. Evaluation of the enhancement curve had sensitivity of 45.05% and specificity of 72.41%. In examination of lymph nodes, 3T-MRI had sensitivity of 92.59% and specificity of 93.87%.

CONCLUSION

Multiparametric 3T-MRI breast imaging shows excellent results in evaluation of breast cancer compared to histological findings, both for primary tumor and nodal metastases. The greatest contribution to improving diagnostic performance is the evaluation of diffusion.