Evaluation of malignant breast masses with abbreviated breast magnetic resonance imaging

Year 2023, Volume: 9 Issue: 5 - September 2023, 1245 - 1250, 04.09.2023

Ebru Yılmaz , Nilgün Güldoğan

https://doi.org/10.18621/eurj.1342470

Abstract

Objectives: Our study aimed to investigate the sensitivity of the abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of tumors in breast cancer patients.

Methods: Patients who underwent breast MRI between March 2018 and October 2021 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with a histologic diagnosis of breast malignancy were included in the study. Patients who underwent a biopsy or an interventional procedure before the MRI examination and who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy were excluded from the study. Abbreviated MR protocol included a pre-contrast T1-weighted, 1^st minute contrast-enhanced T1-weighted, and 1st minute subtracted series. Additionally, 2^nd minute post-contrast series were evaluated.

Results: A total of 83 lesions with a histologic diagnosis of breast cancer were evaluated in 81 patients. The mean age of the patients included in the study was 51.08 years (range: 27-79 years). Seventy-four of the 83 breast lesions showed contrast enhancement in the 1^st minute contrast-enhanced images and subtraction images (sensitivity 89.1%). When missed cases were re-evaluated all of them were visible in the second-minute contrast-enhanced series.

Conclusions: In this study, malignant lesions could be detected with high-sensitivity abbreviated MRI protocol and the addition of second-minute contrast-enhanced series to the protocol significantly improve lesion detection. We believe that MRI with the abbreviated MRI protocol can be used for screening purposes in high-risk women with dense breasts.

Keywords

Breast cancer, magnetic resonance imaging, abbreviated MRI, mammography, breast cancer screening

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