title: 3D T2-weighted spin echo imaging in the breast.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the performance of 2D versus 3D T2-weighted spin echo imaging in the breast.
  
  
  METHODS
  2D and 3D T2-weighted images were acquired in 25 patients as part of a clinically indicated breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam. Lesion-to-fibroglandular tissue signal ratio was measured in 16 identified lesions. Clarity of lesion morphology was assessed through a blinded review by three radiologists. Instances demonstrating the potential diagnostic contribution of 3D versus 2D T2-weighted imaging in the breast were noted through unblinded review by a fourth radiologist.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The lesion-to-fibroglandular tissue signal ratio was well correlated between 2D and 3D T2-weighted images (R(2)  = 0.93). Clarity of lesion morphology was significantly better with 3D T2-weighted imaging for all observers based on a McNemar test (P ≤ 0.02, P ≤ 0.01, P ≤ 0.03). Instances indicating the potential diagnostic contribution of 3D T2-weighted imaging included improved depiction of signal intensity and improved alignment between DCE and T2-weighted findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this pilot study, 3D T2-weighted imaging provided comparable contrast and improved depiction of lesion morphology in the breast in comparison to 2D T2-weighted imaging. Based on these results further investigation to determine the diagnostic impact of 3D T2-weighted imaging in breast MRI is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.forename: Brian A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Hargreaves
authors.forename: Manojkumar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saranathan
authors.forename: Jafi A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lipson
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: Debra M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: Bruce L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Daniel
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D015588:Observer Variation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013113:Spin Labels
chemical_list: D013113:Spin Labels
keywords: T2-weighted; breast imaging; extended echo train; high-resolution; spin-echo; three-dimensional