Magnetic resonance elastography of the breast: correlation of signal intensity data with viscoelastic properties.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to investigate the potential value of magnetic resonance (MR) elastography to improve the differentiation between benign and malignant tumors.


METHODS
Measurements of 5 patients with 6 malignant lesions, 11 patients with benign lesions, and 4 patients with no lesions at all were performed at 1.5 Tesla. After breast MR imaging, MR elastography was performed as a targeted measurement. Low-frequency mechanical waves (65 Hz) were transmitted into the breast tissue using an oscillator and were displayed by means of a MR sequence within the phase of the MR image. After reconstruction, the viscoelastic information was correlated with the signal intensity and morphology data.


RESULTS
All examinations were technically successful realized in approximately 25 minutes. Malignant tumors documented higher values of elasticity than benign corresponding with signal intensity and morphologic data.


CONCLUSIONS
A good separation exists between benign and malignant lesions in elasticity, corresponding with specific signal intensity and morphologic data. Further clinical studies with a larger number of patients are needed for extended validation.
Department of Radiology, University Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany. tanja.xydeas@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Tanja
T
Xydeas
Katja
K
Siegmann
Ralph
R
Sinkus
Ute
U
Krainick-Strobel
Stephan
S
Miller
C D
CD
Claussen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary