title: High-resolution, three-dimensional diffusion-weighted breast imaging using DESS.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the use of the double-echo steady-state (DESS) sequence for acquiring high-resolution breast images with diffusion and T2 weighting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Phantom scans were used to verify the T2 and diffusion weighting of the DESS sequence. Image distortion was evaluated in volunteers by comparing DESS images and conventional diffusion-weighted images (DWI) to spoiled gradient-echo images. The DESS sequence was added to a standard clinical protocol, and the resulting patient images were used to evaluate overall image quality and image contrast in lesions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The diffusion weighting of the DESS sequence can be easily modulated by changing the spoiler gradient area and flip angle. Radiologists rated DESS images as having higher resolution and less distortion than conventional DWI. Lesion-to-tissue contrast ratios are strongly correlated between DWI and DESS images (R=0.83) and between T2-weighted fast spin-echo and DESS images (R=0.80).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The DESS sequence is able to acquire high-resolution 3D diffusion- and T2-weighted images in short scan times, with image quality that facilitates morphological assessment of lesions.
authors: Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305; Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305. Electronic address: granlund@stanford.edu.
authors: Kristin L
authors: KL
authors: Granlund
authors: Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305; Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305.
authors: Ernesto
authors: E
authors: Staroswiecki
authors: Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305.
authors: Marcus T
authors: MT
authors: Alley
authors: Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305.
authors: Bruce L
authors: BL
authors: Daniel
authors: Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305.
authors: Brian A
authors: BA
authors: Hargreaves
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance 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*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
keywords: 3D; Breast; DESS; DWI; Diffusion; T2