Fast three-dimensional dual echo dixon technique improves fat suppression in breast MRI.
OBJECTIVE
To compare qualitative and quantitative measures of the contrast-enhanced dual-echo Dixon technique with the commonly used standard three-dimensional (3D) gradient echo (spectrally selective fat suppression) technique (SS-FS) in breast MRI exams (bMRI).


METHODS
A total of 19 women, with prescheduled bMRI exam, were recruited to our study between 2006 and 2008. Dixon and standard SS-SF techniques were used on both breasts of each patient. Image quality was rated in five categories: fat suppression quality, fat suppression uniformity, lesion margin clarity, lesion visibility, and axillary visibility. For quantitative assessment, we calculated the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of lesion to breast, SNR efficiency, and CNR efficiency.


RESULTS
Of 19 patients evaluated, 13 had a primary breast malignancy and 6 had benign lesions or negative exams. Dixon images were rated higher in four of five qualitative categories (P < 0.0001) and required a shorter scan time. Dixon images yielded significantly higher SNR (43.8) and CNR (40.1) values than did 3DGRE images (SNR = 34.8, CNR = 25.3; P < 0.05). SNR efficiency (36.30) and CNR efficiency (33.79) values for Dixon images were also higher than were 3DGRE images (SNR efficiency =25.7, CNR efficiency = 19.1; P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Dixon images were superior to the standard SS-SF images in both qualitative and quantitative assessment of 19 bMRI exams. The Dixon technique could replace standard SS-SF technique in bMRI exam, after our findings have been confirmed in future studies with a larger sample size.
Le-Petross
Huong
H
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. hlepetross@mdanderson.org
Kundra
Vikas
V
Szklaruk
Janio
J
Wei
Wei
W
Hortobagyi
Gabriel N
GN
Ma
Jingfei
J
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
D003287:Contrast Media