title: Reproducibility of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Measurements in Malignant Breast Masses.
abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the reproducibility of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements in malignant breast masses, and to determine the influence of mammographic parenchymal density on this reproducibility. Sixty-six patients with magnetic resonance findings of the mass were included. Two breast radiologists measured the ADC of the malignant breast mass and the same area on the contralateral normal breast in each patient twice. The effects of mammographic parenchymal density, histology, and lesion size on reproducibility were also assessed. There was no significant difference in the mean ADC between repeated measurements in malignant breast masses and normal breast tissue. The overall reproducibility of ADC measurements was good in both. The 95% limits of agreement for repeated ADCs were approximately 30.2%-33.4% of the mean. ADC measurements in malignant breast masses were highly reproducible irrespective of mass size, histologic subtype, or coexistence of microcalcifications; however, the measurements tended to be less reproducible in malignant breast masses with extremely dense parenchymal backgrounds. ADC measurements in malignant breast masses are highly reproducible; however, mammographic parenchymal density can potentially influence this reproducibility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Mijung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Sun Mi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Bo La
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye Shin
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri, Korea.
authors.forename: Soo Yeon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Eunyoung
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Breast Care Center, Daerim St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; 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*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
keywords: Apparent Diffusion Coefficient; Breast; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Magnetic Resonance; Neoplasms; Reproducibility