title: Magnetization transfer ratio as a predictor of malignancy in breast lesions: preliminary results.
abstract: MRI is an important tool for investigating breast cancer. Although recognized as the method of choice for screening high-risk patients, and for other indications the role of MRI for lesion characterization remains controversial. Recently some authors have advocated the use of morphologic and postcontrast features for this purpose. Quantitative breast MRI techniques have not been applied extensively in breast diseases. Magnetization transfer (MT) is a quantitative MR technique commonly used to investigate neurological diseases. In breast diseases the use of MT has been limited to improving visualization of areas of enhancement in postcontrast images. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and utility of MT in discriminating benign from malignant breast lesions. Fifty-two lesions, BIRADS 4 and 5, from 49 patients, were prospectively evaluated using the MT ratio (MTR). Patients were divided into two groups: benign and malignant lesions. The MTR of fat, pectoralis major muscle, fibroglandular tissue, and breast lesions were calculated. A statistically significant difference was found between MTR from benign and malignant lesions (P < 0.001). Preliminary results suggest that MT can be used to evaluate breast lesions. Further studies are necessary to better define the utility and applicability of this technique.
authors.affiliation: Imaging and Medical Physics Center, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3800, Campus Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ruth Helena Morais
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Bonini
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zeotti
authors.forename: Luciano Albuquerque Lima
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Saraiva
authors.forename: Clovis Simao
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Trad
authors.forename: Joaquim Moraes Sarmento
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.forename: Helio Humberto Angotti
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Carrara
authors.forename: Jurandyr Moreira
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: de Andrade
authors.forename: Antonio Carlos
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Valdair Francisco
authors.initials: VF
authors.lastname: Muglia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve