The potential influence of fine-needle aspiration on MR imaging of the breast.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine whether fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of breast lesions causes structural changes or changes in contrast enhancement, that could impair the evaluation of these lesions at MR investigation of the breast.


METHODS
Fifteen patients with 17 lesions were examined with MR imaging of the breast both before and after the FNAB with a mean interval of 7.1 days. At both examinations, signal intensities were measured pre- and post-contrast enhancement in the lesions as well as in surrounding breast parenchyma and muscle. Imaging with contrast enhancement was performed semidynamically with two images obtained in rapid sequence (acquisition time 6.23 min) immediately after bolus injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine, 0.1 mmol/kg b.w., and the contrast enhancement in both images was calculated.


RESULTS
The diagnostic value of MR images was unimpaired by FNAB, and no statistical difference between contrast enhancement in corresponding images obtained before and after FNAB was found, either within the lesions or in the breast parenchyma or muscle.


CONCLUSIONS
FNAB of the breast can be performed without impairing the diagnostic outcome of MR investigation.
Kristoffersen Wiberg
M
M
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden.
Boné
B
B
Aspelin
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D004487:Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005348:Fibrocystic Breast Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D005355:Fibrosis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006406:Hematoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D012598:Sclerosis
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA