title: [Usefulness of 3D-VIBE method in breast dynamic MRI: imaging parameters and contrasting effects].
abstract: MR imaging (MRI) has been reported to be a useful modality to characterize breast tumors and to evaluate disease extent. Contrast-enhanced dynamic MRI, in particular, allows breast lesions to be characterized with high sensitivity and specificity. Our study was designed to develop three-dimensional volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (3D-VIBE) techniques for the evaluation of breast tumors. First, agarose/Gd-DTPA phantoms with various concentrations of Gd-DTPA were imaged using 3D-VIBE and turbo spin echo (TSE). Second, one of the phantoms was imaged with 3D-VIBE using different flip angles. Finally, water excitation (WE) and a chemical shift-selective (CHESS) pulse were applied to the images. Each image was analyzed for signal intensity, signal-to-noise ratio (1.25*Ms/Mb) (SNR), and contrast ratio [(Ms1-Ms2)/[(Ms1+Ms2)/2]]. The results showed that 3D-VIBE provided better contrast ratios with a linear fit than TSE, although 3D-VIBE showed a lower SNR. To reach the best contrast ratio, the optimized flip angle was found to be 30 degrees for contrast-enhanced dynamic study. Both WE and CHESS pulses were reliable for obtaining fat-suppressed images. In conclusion, the 3D-VIBE technique can image the entire breast area with high resolution and provide better contrast than TSE. Our phantom study suggests that optimized 3D-VIBE may be useful for the assessment of breast tumors.
authors.affiliation: MR Division, Tenri Hospital, Department of Radiology.
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uchikoshi
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ueda
authors.forename: Shigeo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nishiki
authors.forename: Kouichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Satou
authors.forename: Akihiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.forename: Izumi
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Imaoka
authors.forename: Michimasa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsuo
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA