Nonpalpable breast tumors: diagnosis with contrast-enhanced subtraction dynamic MR imaging.

PURPOSE

To determine the accuracy of contrast material-enhanced subtraction dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the diagnosis of nonpalpable breast tumors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred forty-three patients underwent surgical biopsy of a nonpalpable breast lesion. Their mammograms showed microcalcifications (n = 80), opacity (n = 52), architectural distortion (n = 10), or asymmetric density (n = 1). All patients underwent a preoperative gadolinium tetraazacyclododecanetetraacetic acid-enhanced subtraction dynamic study. Any early contrast enhancement in the breast parenchyma was considered pathologic.

RESULTS

At histologic analysis, 27 intraductal carcinomas, 37 invasive carcinomas, and 79 benign lesions were found. Dynamic MR studies showed early contrast enhancement in 61 of 64 breast cancers (sensitivity, 95%) and in 37 of 79 benign lesions (specificity, 53%). Two invasive lobular carcinomas and one tubular carcinoma showed no early contrast enhancement.

CONCLUSION

Subtraction dynamic MR imaging may be helpful to rule out malignancy in nonpalpable breast tumors.