[MR tomographic characterization of suspicious breast lesions with dynamic susceptibility-weighted T2* sequences].
OBJECTIVE
To increase specificity of MR-mammography by using dynamic T2* sequences.


METHODS
23 patients with suspicious lesions of the breast underwent conventional dynamic T1-weighted (T1-dynamic) breast MRI and, subsequently, dynamic T2*-weighted (T2*-dynamic) perfusion studies. To assess the T1-dynamic, signal enhancement during the first minute (E1) was calculated. To evaluate the T2*-dynamic, relative signal intensity loss after administration of contrast medium was determined.


RESULTS
After administration of contrast medium, 6 of 13 malignant lesions did not show a signal decrease during the T2*-dynamic. Two of them exhibited an atypical signal enhancement in the T1-dynamic, with E1 < 100%. On the other hand, in 5 of 10 benign tumors a relative signal decrease of between 5-17% occurred during the T2*-dynamic. Four benign lesions showed a strong early signal enhancement during the T1-dynamic (E1 > 100%), which is more typical for malignant lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of dynamic T2* sequences, following dynamic T1-weighted breast MRI and administration of contrast medium, does not sufficiently increase diagnostic sensitivity. Thus, this study does not support the potential advantage of susceptibility MR imaging for a further characterization of breast lesions.
Abteilung Radiologische Diagnostik, Universitätsklinik Tübingen.
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Dannert
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Krück
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F
Schick
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CD
Claussen
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Müller-Schimpfle
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018276:Carcinoma, Medullary / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D018226:Fibroadenoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted