Neural network approach to the segmentation and classification of dynamic magnetic resonance images of the breast: comparison with empiric and quantitative kinetic parameters.
OBJECTIVE
An artificial neural network (ANN)-based segmentation method was developed for dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the breast and compared with quantitative and empiric parameter mapping techniques.


METHODS
The study population was composed of 10 patients with seven malignant and three benign lesions undergoing dynamic MR imaging of the breast. All lesions were biopsied or surgically excised, and examined by means of histopathology. A T1-weighted 3D FLASH (fast low angle shot sequence) was acquired before and seven times after the intravenous administration of gadopentetate dimeglumine at a dose of 0.1 mmol/kg body weight. Motion artifacts on MR images were eliminated by voxel-based affine and nonrigid registration techniques. A two-layered feed-forward back-propagation network was created for pixel-by-pixel classification of signal intensity-time curves into benign/malignant tissue types. ANN output was statistically compared with percent-enhancement (E), signal enhancement ratio (SER), time-to-peak, subtracted signal intensity (SUB), pharmacokinetic parameter rate constant (k(ep)), and correlation coefficient to a predefined reference washout curve.


RESULTS
ANN was successfully applied to the classification of breast MR images identifying structures with benign or malignant enhancement kinetics. Correlation coefficient (logistic regression, odds ratio [OR] = 12.9; 95% CI: 7.7-21.8), k(ep) (OR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2-2.6), and time-to-peak (OR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.3-0.7) were independently associated to ANN output classes. SER, E, and SUB were nonsignificant covariates.


CONCLUSIONS
ANN is capable of classifying breast lesions on MR images. Mapping correlation coefficient, k(ep) and time-to-peak showed the highest association with the ANN result.
Szabó
Botond K
BK
Division of Diagnostic Radiology, Center for Surgical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, 14186 Huddinge, Sweden. botond.szabo@cfss.ki.se
Aspelin
Peter
P
Wiberg
Maria Kristoffersen
MK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016571:Neural Networks, Computer; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013382:Subtraction Technique; D014584:User-Computer Interface
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA