title: High-quality breast MRI.
abstract: Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demands the competing factors of high spatial resolution, good temporal resolution, high signal-to-noise ratios, and complete bilateral breast coverage. Achieving these competing factors requires modern MRI equipment with high magnetic field strength and homogeneity, high maximum gradient strength with short rise times, dedicated multichannel bilateral breast coils with prone patient positioning, and 3D (volume) gradient-echo MRI pulse sequences with short TR, short TE, high spatial resolution, and reasonably short acquisition times. This article discusses the equipment and pulse sequences needed to achieve high-quality breast MRI and summarizes requirements of the ACR Breast MRI Accreditation Program.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado-Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E. 19th Avenue, MS C-278, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. Electronic address: edward.hendrick@gmail.com.
authors.forename: R Edward
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Hendrick
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D056888:Patient Positioning; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Breast cancer detection; Contrast agent; Spatial resolution; Technical quality; Temporal resolution