Correlation of high-resolution breast MR imaging with histopathology; validation of a technique.
A high-resolution three-dimensional surface gradient coil set was used to obtain magnetic resonance (MR) images of breast specimens, using a gradient-echo pulse sequence (TR/TE 1000/8 msec, flip angle 75 degrees), with 117 micrometer in-plane resolution and 1 mm slice thickness. Breast tissues were obtained from one autopsy and three surgical specimens. High-resolution breast MR images and histopathology sections (7 micrometer thickness) were acquired in the same anatomical plane. Radiographs were acquired of the sliced specimens (approximately 5 mm thick) so that images from all three methods could be correlated. It was found that in vitro high-resolution breast MRI correlated well with low-resolution microscopic histology, demonstrating normal anatomy (lobules, ducts, connective tissue strands, blood vessels) and pathology (tumor content, margins, and presence of microcalcifications) of the breast more clearly than conventional pre-gadolinium breast MRI. High-resolution breast MRI may improve specificity, when added to a conventional breast MRI protocol.
Holland
A E
AE
Department of Radiology, University Hospital Nijmegen, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. agnes_holland@hotmail.com
Hendrick
R E
RE
Jin
H
H
Russ
P D
PD
Barentsz
J O
JO
Holland
R
R
D001706:Biopsy; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D046508:Culture Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity