Side of contrast injection and breast size correlate with motion artifacts grade and image quality on breast MRI.

BACKGROUND

Motion is a relevant cause of artifacts in breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), potentially degrading image quality, even with optimized protocols.

PURPOSE

To investigate the causes of motion artifacts (MA) impacting on image quality (IQ) of contrast-enhanced breast MRI.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective two-center study on consecutive 1.5-T contrast-enhanced breast MRI, independently reviewed by two radiologists on first subtracted and maximum intensity projection images to define the side most affected by MA. IQ was scored as 1 (optimal), 2 (reduced, but without reduction of diagnostic power), or 3 (reduced, with reduced diagnostic power). Correlations with injection side, breast size (A/B vs. C/D cups), patient age, clinical indication, and MRI scanner/protocol were assessed using χ and Fisher's exact statistics.

RESULTS

In total, 237 examinations were included, with right injection performed in 124 (52%) and left in 113 (48%). MA were more frequent on the side ipsilateral to the injection (144/237, 61%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 54-67%) than on the contralateral (93/237, 95% CI 33-46%) ( < 0.001); IQ was scored 1 in 154/237 (65%), 2 in 63/237 (27%), and 3 in 20/237 (8%) examinations; patients with A/B cups showed higher IQ score than patients with C/D cups (scores 1, 2, and 3: 54% vs. 70%; 29% vs. 25%; 17% vs. 5%, respectively,  = 0.002). No significant correlations were found for MA (≥0.106) or IQ ( ≥ 0.318) between ipsi- or contralateral injection and right/left injection, breast size, age, indication, or scanner/protocol.

CONCLUSION

MA were more frequent in breasts ipsilateral to contrast injection and showed a reduced IQ for small breasts.