MR state of the art.
Magnetic resonance imaging is undergoing continual and progressive evolution. To make a high quality examination, some requirements are mandatory, such as high spatial and contrast resolution to identify lesions and high temporal resolution to characterize them. We review the most important new magnetic resonance technologies, both those which are already available and used in clinical practice and those which are still to be developed. We analyze such technologic and methodolgic features as magnetic field strength, gradients, surface coils, echoplanar imaging, fat suppression techniques and magnetization transfer, contrast agents, automatic injectors, image postprocessing, computer assisted diagnosis, magnetic resonance-guided biopsy and spectroscopy. All these factors are in continuous evolution and new technologies anticipate, in the near future, faster examinations with very high spatial and contrast resolution, with magnetic resonance-guided cytologic and histologic aspiration biopsies, as well as spectroscopic studies of previously identified lesions. To perform a correct, state-of-the-art magnetic resonance examination of the breast, we need high strength gradients with high slew rate and bilateral coils. Finally, we discuss new technologies and methods which will increase the accuracy of magnetic resonance studies of the breast, improving image quality and decreasing execution time. Thus, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, allowing in vivo biochemical tissue analysis, seems to have high potentials; even though they are still difficult to define, the technique is sure to have major diagnostic impact also in monitoring the results to different treatments.
Del Maschio
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Radiology Department, Scientific Institute San Raffaele, University Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Panizza
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P
D001706:Biopsy; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003287:Contrast Media; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science
D003287:Contrast Media