Improving specificity of breast MRI using prone PET and fused MRI and PET 3D volume datasets.
MRI is a sensitive method for detecting invasive breast cancer, but it lacks specificity. To examine the effect of combining PET with MRI on breast lesion characterization, a prototype positioning device was fabricated to allow PET scans to be acquired in the same position as MRI scans--that is, prone.


METHODS
To test the hypothesis that fusion of (18)F-FDG PET and MRI scans improves detection of breast cancer, 23 patients with suspected recurrent or new breast cancer underwent a routine whole-body PET scan, a prone PET scan of the chest, and a routine breast MRI scan. The attenuation-corrected prone PET and MRI datasets were registered twice by different operators. The fusion results were judged for quality by visual inspection and statistical analysis. A joint reading of the MRI and PET scans side by side and integrated images was performed by a nuclear medicine physician and a radiologist. Sensitivity and specificity of MRI and combined MRI and PET scans were calculated on the basis of pathology reports or at least 1 y of clinical and radiologic follow-up.


RESULTS
All fusions were verified to be well matched using specific anatomic criteria. A total of 45 lesions was assessed. Lesion size range was 0.6 to 10.0 cm. Of the 44 breasts examined, 29 were suspicious for cancer, of which 15 were found to be positive on surgical excision. In lesion-by-lesion analysis, sensitivity and specificity of MRI alone were 92% and 52%, respectively; after MRI and PET fusion, they were 63% and 95%, respectively. The positive predictive value and the negative predictive value for MRI alone were 69% and 85%, respectively; after MRI and PET fusion, they were 94% and 69%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Acquisition of prone PET scans using the new positioning device permitted acquisition of prone scans suitable for fusion with breast MRI scans. Fused PET and MRI scans increased the specificity of MRI but decreased the sensitivity in this small group of patients. Additional data are needed to confirm the statistical significance of these preliminary findings.
Moy
Linda
L
Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, New York 10016, USA.
Ponzo
Fabio
F
Noz
Marilyn E
ME
Maguire
Gerald Q
GQ
Murphy-Walcott
Antoinette D
AD
Deans
Abby E
AE
Kitazono
Mary T
MT
Travascio
Laura
L
Kramer
Elissa L
EL
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000494:pharmacology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18