title: Equivalent cross-relaxation rate imaging for sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast carcinoma.
abstract: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is an important technique for detecting axillary lymph node metastasis in breast carcinoma patients. However, false-negative results are a problem. Equivalent cross-relaxation rate (ECR) imaging (ECRI) is a measurement method that can be used to quantitatively evaluate a change in the structural organization of lymph nodes by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We performed axillary ECRI in an attempt to decrease the false-negative results of SLNB. Regions without metastases showed a higher ECR value. On the other hand, regions with metastases showed a lower ECR value. The ECR images were compared with macroscopic histology images in which the presence or absence of axillary lymph node metastasis could be evaluated. ECRI is a potentially useful method for evaluating the efficacy of SLNB.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Aichi Cancer Center, Nagoya, Japan. smts@aichi-cc.jp
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsushima
authors.forename: Fumio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Hidekazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamaura
authors.forename: Hiroji
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iwata
authors.forename: Hikaru
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohsaki
authors.forename: Seiichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Era
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sogami
authors.forename: Tadashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inaba
authors.forename: Mitsuhiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uike
authors.forename: Yasutomi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kinosada
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D044584:Carcinoma, Ductal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000379:methods*