MR lesion detection in a breast cancer population.
Implementation of MR imaging of the breast as an extension of the existing imaging modalities in the diagnosis of breast cancer was evaluated in a university cancer center, MR imaging of the breast was performed in 54 patients, in whom the MR results were compared with the triple test (the combination of clinical examination, mammographic evaluation, and cytology) and the final histological diagnosis. MR imaging of the breast depicted 30 of the 33 malignancies (sensitivity, 91%). In two of the malignancies, the carcinoma was clinically and mammographically occult. For the three patients with a false-negative MRI diagnosis, the conventional mammography showed suspicions clustered microcalcifications as a sign of in situ carcinoma. For seven patients, MR imaging of the breast incorrectly suggested the presence of a malignant lesion (specificity, 67%). To improve MR specificity, we perform MR-guided ultrasonographic fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Although MR imaging of the breast is a highly sensitive examination, conventional x-ray mammography remains the most efficient imaging modality in the diagnosis of breast cancer. In our patient population, MR imaging of the breast had additional value for women with mammographically dense breast tissue and especially for patients with clinical evidence of breast carcinoma that could not be detected with conventional diagnostic methods.
Obdeijn
I M
IM
Department of Radiology, Dr. Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center, University Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Kuijpers
T J
TJ
van Dijk
P
P
Wiggers
T
T
Oudkerk
M
M
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008327:Mammography; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA