Integration of DCE-MRI and DW-MRI Quantitative Parameters for Breast Lesion Classification.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of an imaging protocol combining dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) and diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) in patients with suspicious breast lesions.


METHODS
A total of 31 breast lesions (15 malignant and 16 benign proved by histological examination) in 26 female patients were included in this study. For both DCE-MRI and DW-MRI model free and model based parameters were computed pixel by pixel on manually segmented ROIs. Statistical procedures included conventional linear analysis and more advanced techniques for classification of lesions in benign and malignant.


RESULTS
Our findings indicated no strong correlation between DCE-MRI and DW-MRI parameters. Results of classification analysis show that combining of DCE parameters or DW-MRI parameter, in comparison of single feature, does not yield a dramatic improvement of sensitivity and specificity of the two techniques alone. The best performance was obtained considering a full combination of all features. Moreover, the classification results combining all features are dominated by DCE-MRI features alone.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of DWI and DCE-MRI does not show a potential to dramatically increase the sensitivity and specificity of breast MRI. DCE-MRI alone gave the same performance as in combination with DW-MRI.
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Radiant and Metabolic Therapy, "Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione Giovanni Pascale, IRCCS", Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Roberta
R
Fusco
Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies, University "Federico II" of Naples, Via Claudio 21, 80125 Naples, Italy.
Mario
M
Sansone
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Radiant and Metabolic Therapy, "Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione Giovanni Pascale, IRCCS", Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Salvatore
S
Filice
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Radiant and Metabolic Therapy, "Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione Giovanni Pascale, IRCCS", Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Vincenza
V
Granata
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Radiant and Metabolic Therapy, "Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione Giovanni Pascale, IRCCS", Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Orlando
O
Catalano
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Radiant and Metabolic Therapy, "Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione Giovanni Pascale, IRCCS", Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Daniela Maria
DM
Amato
Department of Diagnostic and Laboratory Pathology, "Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione Giovanni Pascale, IRCCS", Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Maurizio
M
Di Bonito
Department of Senology, "Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione Giovanni Pascale, IRCCS", Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Massimiliano
M
D'Aiuto
Department of Senology, "Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione Giovanni Pascale, IRCCS", Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Immacolata
I
Capasso
Department of Senology, "Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione Giovanni Pascale, IRCCS", Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Massimo
M
Rinaldo
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Radiant and Metabolic Therapy, "Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione Giovanni Pascale, IRCCS", Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Antonella
A
Petrillo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008875:Middle Aged; D012372:ROC Curve; D011859:Radiography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA