title: The role of MRI in axillary lymph node imaging in breast cancer patients: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess whether MRI can exclude axillary lymph node metastasis, potentially replacing sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), and consequently eliminating the risk of SLNB-associated morbidity.
  
  
  METHODS
  PubMed, Cochrane, Medline and Embase databases were searched for relevant publications up to July 2014. Studies were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and independently assessed by two reviewers using a standardised extraction form.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen eligible studies were selected from 1,372 publications identified by the search. A dedicated axillary protocol [sensitivity 84.7 %, negative predictive value (NPV) 95.0 %] was superior to a standard protocol covering both the breast and axilla simultaneously (sensitivity 82.0 %, NPV 82.6 %). Dynamic, contrast-enhanced MRI had a lower median sensitivity (60.0 %) and NPV (80.0 %) compared to non-enhanced T1w/T2w sequences (88.4, 94.7 %), diffusion-weighted imaging (84.2, 90.6 %) and ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO)- enhanced T2*w sequences (83.0, 95.9 %). The most promising results seem to be achievable when using non-enhanced T1w/T2w and USPIO-enhanced T2*w sequences in combination with a dedicated axillary protocol (sensitivity 84.7 % and NPV 95.0 %).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnostic performance of some MRI protocols for excluding axillary lymph node metastases approaches the NPV needed to replace SLNB. However, current observations are based on studies with heterogeneous study designs and limited populations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Some axillary MRI protocols approach the NPV of an SLNB procedure. • Dedicated axillary MRI is more accurate than protocols also covering the breast. • T1w/T2w protocols combined with USPIO-enhanced sequences are the most promising sequences.
authors: Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center+, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors: V J L
authors: VJ
authors: Kuijs
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Moossdorff
authors: R J
authors: RJ
authors: Schipper
authors: R G H
authors: RG
authors: Beets-Tan
authors: E M
authors: EM
authors: Heuts
authors: K B M I
authors: KB
authors: Keymeulen
authors: M L
authors: ML
authors: Smidt
authors: M B I
authors: MB
authors: Lobbes