title: MR imaging features of pure mucinous carcinoma of the breast.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize MR imaging features of pure mucinous carcinoma of the breast.
  
  
  METHODS
  MR images obtained from 16 women (age range, 29-81; mean age, 57 years) with pure mucinous carcinoma of the breast determined at surgery were reviewed. The MR findings used were shape, margin, internal mass enhancement, kinetic curve pattern on dynamic study, signal intensity on short time inversion recovery (STIR) T2-weighted images, and non-mass-like enhancement around the main tumor. Non-mass-like enhancement was compared with the presence of extensive intraductal component (EIC) on histopathological findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven tumors (69%) had lobular contour, and nine tumors (56%) had smooth margin. Eight tumors (50%) showed rim enhancement and six tumors (38%) showed heterogeneous enhancement. Fourteen tumors (88%) showed a persistent enhancing pattern on kinetic curve. Fifteen tumors exhibited homogenous strongly high signal intensity on STIR T2-weighted images. In six cases with EIC, five cases had non-mass-like enhancement around the main mass.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MR findings such as lobular shape, rim or heterogeneous enhancement, persistent pattern on kinetic curve, and homogeneous strongly high signal intensity on STIR T2-weighted images may be useful in diagnosing pure mucinous carcinoma. Moreover, linear-ductal enhancement around main mass may indicate presence of EIC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okafuji
authors.forename: Hidetake
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yabuuchi
authors.forename: Shuji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Hiroyasu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Soeda
authors.forename: Yoshio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsuo
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Masamitsu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hatakenaka
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Syoji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuroki
authors.forename: Eriko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tokunaga
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Honda
mesh_terms: D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA