DCE-MRI of the breast in a stand-alone setting outside a complementary strategy - results of the TK-study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the accuracy of MRI of the breast (DCE-MRI) in a stand-alone setting with extended indications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: According to the inclusion criteria, breast specialists were invited to refer patients to our institution for DCE-MRI. Depending on the MR findings, patients received either a follow-up or biopsy. Between 04/2006 and 12/2011 a consecutive total of 1,488 women were prospectively examined. RESULTS: Of 1,488 included patients, 393 patients were lost to follow-up, 1,095 patients were evaluated. 124 patients were diagnosed with malignancy by DCE-MRI (76 TP, 48 FP, 971 TN, 0 FN cases). Positive cases were confirmed by histology, negative cases by MR follow-ups or patient questionnaires over the next 5 years in 1,737 cases (sensitivity 100 %; specificity 95.2 %; PPV 61.3 %; NPV 100 %; accuracy 95.5 %). For invasive cancers only (DCIS excluded), the results were 63 TP; 27 FP; 971 TP and 0 FN (sensitivity 100 %; specificity 97.2 %; PPV 70 %; NPV 100 %; accuracy 97.5 %). CONCLUSION: The DCE-MRI indications tested imply that negative results in DCE-MRI reliably exclude cancer. The results were achieved in a stand-alone setting (single modality diagnosis). However, these results are strongly dependent on reader experience and adequate technical standards as prerequisites for optimal diagnoses. KEY POINTS: • DCE-MRI of the breast has a high accuracy in finding breast cancer. • The set of indications for DCE-MRI of the breast is still very limited. • DCE-MRI can achieve a high accuracy in a 'screening-like' setting. • Accuracy of breast DCE-MRI is strongly dependent on technique and reader experience. • A negative DCE-MRI effectively excludes cancer.

Automatic multimodal 2D/3D breast image registration using biomechanical FEM models and intensity-based optimization.

Due to their different physical origin, X-ray mammography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provide complementary diagnostic information. However, the correlation of their images is challenging due to differences in dimensionality, patient positioning and compression state of the breast. Our automated registration takes over part of the correlation task. The registration method is based on a biomechanical finite element model, which is used to simulate mammographic compression. The deformed MRI volume can be compared directly with the corresponding mammogram. The registration accuracy is determined by a number of patient-specific parameters. We optimize these parameters--e.g. breast rotation--using image similarity measures. The method was evaluated on 79 datasets from clinical routine. The mean target registration error was 13.2mm in a fully automated setting. On basis of our results, we conclude that a completely automated registration of volume images with 2D mammograms is feasible. The registration accuracy is within the clinically relevant range and thus beneficial for multimodal diagnosis.

Combined staging at one stop using MR mammography: evaluation of an extended protocol to screen for distant metastasis in primary breast cancer - initial results and diagnostic accuracy in a prospective study.

PURPOSE: Accurate staging of primary breast cancer is essential for the therapeutic approach. Modern whole-body MR scanners would allow local and distant staging during a single examination. Accordingly, we designed a dedicated protocol for this purpose and prospectively evaluated the diagnostic accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 65 consecutive breast cancer patients underwent pre-therapeutic MRI (1.5 T). A bilateral breast protocol (axial: T1w/GRE dynamic contrast-enhanced, T2w/TSE; TA: 10 min) was extended to screen for distant metastasis at one stop without repositioning (coronal: T2w/HASTE, T1w/VIBE; FOV: thorax, abdomen and spine; TA: 90 sec; multichannel surface coils). The standard of reference was S3 guideline-compliant staging examinations. Global assessment regarding the presence of distant metastasis was performed independently by two experienced and blinded radiologists (five-level confidence score). Inter-rater agreement (weighted kappa) and observer scoring were analyzed (contingency tables). RESULTS: The prevalence of synchronous metastases was 7.7 % (n = 5). The protocol enabled global assessment regarding the presence of distant metastasis with high accuracy (sensitivity: 100 %; specificity: 98.3 %) and inter-rater agreement (kappa: 0.92). CONCLUSION: Applying the extended MRI protocol, accurate screening for distant metastasis was possible in combination with a dedicated breast examination.

Application of classification trees for the qualitative differentiation of focal liver lesions suspicious for metastasis in gadolinium-EOB-DTPA-enhanced liver MR imaging.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of qualitative descriptors alone and in combination for the classification of focal liver lesions (FLLs) suspicious for metastasis in gadolinium-EOB-DTPA-enhanced liver MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with clinically suspected liver metastases were eligible for this retrospective investigation. 50 patients met the inclusion criteria. All underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced liver MRI (T2w, chemical shift T1w, dynamic T1w). Primary liver malignancies or treated lesions were excluded. All investigations were read by two blinded observers (O1, O2). Both independently identified the presence of lesions and evaluated predefined qualitative lesion descriptors (signal intensities, enhancement pattern and morphology). A reference standard was determined under consideration of all clinical and follow-up information. Statistical analysis besides contingency tables (chi square, kappa statistics) included descriptor combinations using classification trees (CHAID methodology) as well as ROC analysis. RESULTS: In 38 patients, 120 FLLs (52 benign, 68 malignant) were present. 115 (48 benign, 67 malignant) were identified by the observers. The enhancement pattern, relative SI upon T2w and late enhanced T1w images contributed significantly to the differentiation of FLLs. The overall classification accuracy was 91.3 % (O1) and 88.7 % (O2), kappa = 0.902. CONCLUSION: The combination of qualitative lesion descriptors proposed in this work revealed high diagnostic accuracy and interobserver agreement in the differentiation of focal liver lesions suspicious for metastases using Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced liver MRI.

Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava extending into the right atrium. A rare differential diagnosis of a right atrial tumor with fatal outcome.

A 54-year-old female patient presented with a progressive and deteriorating dyspnea at the slightest exertion in particular during the past few days before presentation. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a large space-occupying lesion in the right atrium extending into the inferior vena cava (IVC). Abdominal magnetic resonance aortography showed an elongated space-occupying lesion in the IVC with a significant portion of the tumor and almost completely filling the right atrium accompanied by an infiltration of the hepatic and renal veins. A pronounced tumor infiltration of the IVC at the level of the liver was confirmed intraoperatively and immunohistochemical analysis showed a moderate to poorly differentiated leiomyosarcoma. The extended tumor was successfully removed by a complex operation of the thorax and abdomen but the procedure was accompanied by severe bleeding. A few hours following the procedure the patient died due to a further episode of irreversible intra-abdominal hemorrhage.

A systematic comparison of two pulse sequences for edema assessment in MR-mammography.

OBJECTIVE: Perifocal edema, defined as high T2w signal intensity around an enhancing lesion has been described as a specific feature of malignancy. In clinical MR-mammography (MRM), both fatsat and non-fatsat T2w sequences are available. However, there is no consensus on which technique should be used for edema assessment. Consequently, this investigation was performed to compare two commonly used pulse sequences for edema assessment in MRM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 321 consecutive patients from a 22 month period were included in this investigation. Further selection criteria were histopathological verification of enhancing lesions and absence of presurgical chemotherapy or biopsy, resulting in 108 malignant and 107 benign lesions. All underwent MRM according to international guidelines including a non-fatsat T2w-TSE sequence (TR/TE: 8900/207 ms) and a short tau inversion recovery fatsat sequence (STIR, TR/TE: 8420/70 ms). All images were acquired in the same orientation (axial) and slice thickness. Two experienced radiologists in consensus rated presence of perifocal edema according to an ordinal scale: 0 = not present, 1 = little, 2 = intermediate, and 3 = distinct. Data analysis was performed using crosstabs and Visual Grading Characteristics (VGC) analysis. RESULTS: Overall sensitivity/specificity was calculated with 53.7%/94.4% (T2w-TSE) and 52.8%/95.3% (STIR). VGC revealed an area under the VGC curve of 0.502 (standard error 0.026), P = 0.814. CONCLUSION: Perifocal edema is a specific feature of malignancy with moderate sensitivity. VGC analysis did not reveal significant differences between both pulse sequences analysed. Consequently, both T2w-TSE and STIR images are suitable for assessment of perifocal edema.

Diffusion-weighted imaging of hyperacute cerebral hypoglycemia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebral hypoglycemia can result in reversible metabolic brain insults and can be associated with impaired diffusion disturbances. Our aim was to evaluate possible changes in DWI of the human brain during hyperacute short-term severe hypoglycemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten individuals scheduled for a clinical IST were examined with DWI while the test was performed. Venous blood glucose was continuously measured, and sequential DWI sequences were performed without interruption. Hypoglycemia was terminated with intravenous glucose administration when glucose levels were at ≤2.0 mmol/L. RESULTS: Blood glucose levels were lowered to a mean nadir of 1.75 ± 0.38 mmol/L. No alterations of cerebral diffusion could be observed in any individuals on DWI. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperacute short-term severe hypoglycemia does not induce visible changes in DWI of the human brain.

Potential of MR mammography to predict tumor grading of invasive breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Tumor grading (TG) is one of the most widely used prognostic factors in the case of breast cancer. This study aims to identify the potential of magnetic resonance mammography (MRM) to non-invasively assess TG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 399 invasive breast cancers were included (IRB approval; standardized clinical MRM protocols). All breast cancers were prospectively evaluated by two experienced (> 500 MRM) and blinded radiologists in consensus. In every cancer a set of 18 previously published MRM descriptors was assessed. These were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis to identify the potential of MRM to predict TG (X2 statistics; binary logistic regression; area under the ROC curve [AUC]). RESULTS: 8 of 18 MRM descriptors were associated with TG, e. g. internal structure, edema (p < 0.001), as well as skin thickening and destruction of the nipple line (p < 0.05). MRM was feasible to predict TG by multivariate analysis (p < 0.001). The highest potential could be identified to predict well differentiated breast cancers with good prognosis (AUC = 0.930). CONCLUSION: MR mammography was able to non-invasively assess tumor grading in a standard protocol. Since tumor grading is a surrogate for overall survival, these results provide further evidence to the clinical application of MR mammography as a noninvasive prognostic tool.

Clinical MR mammography: impact of hormonal status on background enhancement and diagnostic accuracy.

PURPOSE: Hormonal stimulation can induce background enhancement (BE) in MR mammography (MRM). This fact has been assumed to decrease the accuracy of MRM. Consequently, this report investigates: 1. The prevalence of BE in postmenopausal vs. premenopausal women in correlation to hormonal cycle phase (CP). 2. The impact of hormonal status (HS) and BE on diagnostic accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients over 22 months with complete HS information (week of CP or postmenopausal) were included in this prospective investigation. Exclusion criteria were any hormonal therapy, hysterectomy as well as cancer proven by biopsy. The standard of reference was histopathology. All MRM scans were acquired using the same protocol (1.5 T, dynamic T 1w GRE after 0.1 mmol/kg bw Gd-DTPA i. v.). Two radiologists rated all examinations in consensus according to BI-RADS. BE was defined as: 0 = missing, 1 = moderate, 2 = distinct. RESULTS: 224 patients (150 postmenopausal, 74 premenopausal, 45 in the second week of CP) were included in this study (83 benign and 141 malignant findings). BE was more frequent in premenopausal women (p = 0.006), but did not differ between CP (p = 0.460). Neither HS nor BE had a significant impact on the diagnostic parameters of MRM (p ≥ 0.375). However, regarding BE, the relative number of false positive (FP) findings was highest (5 / 10; 50 %) in the distinct BE group. Regarding HS, 17 % more FP findings were observed in premenopausal women examined outside the second week of CP. CONCLUSION: In premenopausal women, HS leads to increased BE of breast tissue, independent of CP. Distinct BE and less pronounced, non-optimal CP may lead to an increased number of false positive findings.

Identification of the nervus intermedius using 3T MR imaging.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Improved MR imaging at higher field strengths enables more detailed imaging of cranial nerves. The aim of this study was to assess the identifiability of the NI in the CPA and IAC by using high-resolution 3T MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven healthy volunteers (13 men and 14 women; mean age, 33 years) underwent 3T MR imaging of the CPA. The section thicknesses of the CISS sequence was 0.4 mm (TR, 12.18 ms; TE, 6.09 ms) using a 12-channel head coil. Evaluation was performed by using MPR mode. Image quality and identifiability of the NI were rated independently by 2 observers according to predefined criteria on an ordinal scale. Interobserver agreement was assessed by κ statistics. RESULTS: Fifty-four NIs were evaluated. Both observers were able to identify the NI in nearly 60% of cases. It was possible to indentify at least 1 NI in 70% of all volunteers in the CPA and/or IAC. Image quality ratings showed a substantial agreement (κ = 0.65) and identifiability ratings an almost perfect (κ = 0.83) agreement. CONCLUSIONS: Careful evaluation of all nervous and vascular structures in the CPA and IAC at high-resolution 3T MR imaging allows reliable depiction of the NI.

Olfactory bulb ventricles as a frequent finding--a myth or reality? Evaluation using high resolution 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging.

Data on the prevalence of persistent olfactory bulb ventricles (OBV) in humans remain contradictory. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis of large cystic-like OBVs filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as a frequent finding in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Fifty normosmic volunteers (25 men and 25 women, mean 40 years) underwent 3 Tesla MRI of the anterior skull base. Normal smell function was determined by testing of the odor threshold discrimination identification score using the Sniffin' Sticks test kit. The voxel size of the constructive interference in steady state (CISS) sequence was 0.4×0.4×0.4 mm (TR 12.18 ms, TE 6.09 ms) using a 12-channel head coil. Image quality was rated by three observers according to predefined criteria on an ordinal scale. Additionally, contrast-to-noise (CNR) and signal-to-noise (SNR) ratios were calculated. Quantitative signal intensity (SI) measurement of olfactory bulb (OB) structures and small Virchow-Robin spaces (VRS) was performed using multi planar reconstruction mode. Ninety-one OBs were eligible for evaluation. Image quality was rated as adequate in 55% and as excellent in 36% of cases. CNR and SNR calculations resulted in values of 21.59 and 19.06, respectively. Wilcoxon signed rank test revealed significant higher SI values for OB center compared to OB surface (P<0.001) and to OB base (P<0.001) but also significant lower SI values compared to small VRS (P<0.001) in 94.5%. In 5.5%, SI measurement revealed signs for CSF-filled structures in the OB. High-resolution 3 Tesla MRI did not verify the hypothesis of large cystic CSF-filled OBVs as a frequent finding although evidence is growing that the hyperintense signal in the center of OBs might be associated with interstitial or finely dispersed CSF/fluid or with tiny, histologically detectable remnants of OBVs.

Magnetic resonance mammography in small vs. advanced breast lesions - systematic comparison reveals significant impact of lesion size on diagnostic accuracy in 936 histologically verified breast lesions.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the appearance of breast lesions in MR mammography (MRM) as a function of size and to identify the potential impact on diagnostic accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 936 histologically verified breast lesions (standardized MRM protocol; consecutive 12-year period at our institution, diameter 5 - 50 mm) were prospectively evaluated in consensus by two radiologists with significant MRM experience. For this purpose previously published descriptors (n = 17) were used. These were summarized as the "basic catalog and extended catalog" of descriptors (BC vs. EC). According to a cut-off of 20 mm, the database was divided into the subgroups "small" (n = 669) and "advanced" (n = 267). The diagnostic accuracy of MRM in these two subgroups was then determined using BC and EC, separately (binary logistic regression analysis; AUC analysis). RESULTS: The majority of descriptors (n = 11) showed a significantly different prevalence in correlation with size (p < 0.05). The diagnostic accuracy of MRM for "advanced" lesions (AUC = 0.969) was significantly higher (p < 0.001). This difference was significantly decreased (p < 0.001), if instead of BC (AUC = 0.865) EC was applied for the assessment of "small" lesions (AUC: 0.908 vs. 0.865). CONCLUSION: The typical appearance of breast lesions in MRM depends on lesion size. This resulted in lower diagnostic accuracy in small lesions compared to advanced findings. This difference was able to be significantly decreased by applying the catalog of extended descriptors.

[CT and MR imaging of the facial nerve]. / Computer- und Magnetresonanztomographie des N. facialis.

Modern imaging techniques used for depicting the facial nerve include multi-slice spiral computed tomography (CT) and high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CT is the gold standard for imaging the osseous structures of the temporal bone. As a result of its excellent soft tissue contrast, MRI enables identification of the facial nerve itself. Due to high spatial resolution and the possibility to generate multiplanar reconstructions, both CT and MRI facilitate an exact evaluation of anatomical structures in all three spatial planes. The present article provides an overview of relevant anatomical structures, a thorough knowledge of which is the basic prerequisite to understanding pathologies and interpreting radiological findings correctly. Furthermore, basic techniques and strategies for imaging the facial nerve using CT and MRI are explained in general. The articles concludes with specific requirements for the radiological diagnosis of dysplasia, neoplasms and trauma, as well as vascular and inflammatory diseases.

Value of ductal obstruction sign in the differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions at MR imaging.

PURPOSE: MR-Mammography (MRM) is regarded as the most sensitive method for detection of breast cancer without a broad consensus on specificity. There is room for improvement of the existing ACR BIRADS lexicon by adding new and specific descriptors. Dilated ducts have been described in association with papillomas. However, the differential diagnostic value of this finding has not been investigated yet. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 316 consecutive patients, undergoing histopathologic workup after MR-Mammography were included in this prospective, ethical review board approved study. Two blinded radiologists rated the images in consensus. Ductal obstruction was defined as dilated liquid filled ducts proximal an enhancing lesion. Sensitivity, specificity as well as positive and negative likelihood ratio (LR+, LR-) were calculated. RESULTS: Dilated ducts were found in 60 cases (19%), 20 of these showed an association with enhancing lesions and were categorized as ductal obstruction (6.3%). Malignancy was found in two cases (one invasive ductal carcinoma and one DCIS) and benign tissue in 18 cases (15 papillomas). The difference of ductal obstruction between these groups was found to be highly significant in two-sided Fisher's exact test (p<0.001). Because of the clear association with benign lesions, benign lesions showing ductal obstruction were characterized as true positive findings. Therefore, following diagnostic parameters were calculated: sensitivity 15.4%, specificity 99.0%, LR+ 15.3, LR- 0.9. DISCUSSION: If ductal obstruction is found to be positive, the associated lesion is most likely benign. Therefore, though a rare finding, this descriptor should be taken into account for improved lesion differentiation.

Can color-coded parametric maps improve dynamic enhancement pattern analysis in MR mammography?

PURPOSE: Post-contrast enhancement characteristics (PEC) are a major criterion for differential diagnosis in MR mammography (MRM). Manual placement of regions of interest (ROIs) to obtain time/signal intensity curves (TSIC) is the standard approach to assess dynamic enhancement data. Computers can automatically calculate the TSIC in every lesion voxel and combine this data to form one color-coded parametric map (CCPM). Thus, the TSIC of the whole lesion can be assessed. This investigation was conducted to compare the diagnostic accuracy (DA) of CCPM with TSIC for the assessment of PEC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 329 consecutive patients with 469 histologically verified lesions were examined. MRM was performed according to a standard protocol (1.5 T, 0.1 mmol/kgbw Gd-DTPA). ROIs were drawn manually within any lesion to calculate the TSIC. CCPMs were created in all patients using dedicated software (CAD Sciences). Both methods were rated by 2 observers in consensus on an ordinal scale. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was used to compare both methods. RESULTS: The area under the curve (AUC) was significantly (p=0.026) higher for CCPM (0.829) than TSIC (0.749). The sensitivity was 88.5% (CCPM) vs. 82.8% (TSIC), whereas equal specificity levels were found (CCPM: 63.7%, TSIC: 63.0%). CONCLUSION: The color-coded parametric maps (CCPMs) showed a significantly higher DA compared to TSIC, in particular the sensitivity could be increased. Therefore, the CCPM method is a feasible approach to assessing dynamic data in MRM and condenses several imaging series into one parametric map.

[Seasonal dependence of the parameters of quantitative ultrasonic measurements on the peripheral skeleton]. / Saisonale Abhängigkeit der Parameter des quantitativen Ultraschalls am peripheren Skelett.

PURPOSE: To investigate the dependence of parameters of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) on seasonable temperature variation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 10 adolescents were examined by QUS at the heel (Sahara, Hologic), at the tibia, at the radius and at the proximal phalanges (Omnisense 7000 P, Sunlight). Measuring took place 0 (T1), 30 (T2), 60 (T3), and 120 (T4) minutes after entering the building at constant room temperature. The skin temperature was measured. The speed of sound (SOS; m/s) and the broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA; dB/MHz) were determined as QUS parameters. Investigations took place every two weeks from January to July. RESULTS: Between skin temperature at the heel after entering the building and the measured SOS at the point of time (T1), a significantly negative correlation was stated (R = -0.47; p < 0.01); after 30 minutes (T2) the correlation was R = -0.21 (p < 0.01); after 60 minutes (T3) and after 120 minutes (T4) the correlation was not significantly anymore (R = -0,1). Minor, significant correlation was stated at the proximal phalanx at point of time T 1 (R = -0.2; p < 0.01). There was no significant correlation between temperature and SOS at the radius and tibia. CONCLUSION: The speed of sound at the heel depends inversely on outside temperature. This effect decreases with the longer duration of stay in the building. The measuring error is not relevant in relation to the population variability, but should be considered for individual process controls. There is no temperature dependence for the broadband ultrasonic attenuation. The SOS on the radius and tibia does not depend on temperature.

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in MR mammography (MRM): clinical comparison of echo planar imaging (EPI) and half-Fourier single-shot turbo spin echo (HASTE) diffusion techniques.

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) techniques have shown potential to differentiate between benign and malignant neoplasms. However, the diagnostic significance of using DWI under routine conditions remains unclear. This study investigated the use of echo planar imaging (EPI) and half-Fourier acquired single-shot turbo spin echo (HASTE)-DWI with respect to the three parameters: lesion visibility, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements, and size estimation. Following MRM (1.5 T), EPI- and HASTE-DWI were applied in 65 patients. Lesion visibility on DWI was compared with lesion visibility on subtracted contrast-enhanced T1w images (CE-T1w). Statistical tests were applied to diameter, visibility, and ADC value measurements. Seventy-four lesions were identified. ADC value measurements did not differ significantly between the two DWI sequences. The sensitivity and specificity of routine diagnostics (97.4% and 85.7%) were superior to EPI-DWI (87.2% and 82.9%) and HASTE-DWI (76.9% and 88.6%). Selecting only nonmass lesions, DWI did not prove to be of diagnostic value. Lesion demarcation by DWI was significantly lower compared with that by CE-T1w, with EPI-DWI showing the better performance (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found for size measurements between CE-T1w and DWI. Although clearly inferior compared with CE-T1w imaging, both DWI techniques are applicable for lesion assessment and size measurements.

[Clinical value of computer-assisted analysis in MR mammography. A comparison between two systems and three observers with different levels of experience]. / Klinische Wertigkeit computergestützter Analysen in der MR-Mammografie. Ein Vergleich zwischen zwei Systemen und drei Untersuchern mit unterschiedlicher Erfahrung.

PURPOSE: The value of computer-assisted detection (CAD) used in magnetic resonance (MR) mammography in a clinical setting is currently a subject of controversy. This study evaluated the extent to which color-coded CAD systems aid radiologists with different levels of experience in their reading of MR mammographies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 48 patients with a total of 88 lesions (43 malignant, 45 benign) were included. All examinations were performed on a 1.5 Tesla MR scanner with intravenous application of 0.1 mmol gadopentetate dimeglumine/kg body weight. Three readers independently analyzed the images without knowledge of the clinical data; radiologists 1 and 2 were much more experienced in the interpretation of MR mammographies than radiologist 3. Initially, the observers visually categorized the lesions as benign or malignant following classification of BI-RADS (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System). The readers also scored their own confidence level using a dichotome score (1: unsure vs. 2: sure) according to the BI-RADS classification. The images were then analyzed in a blinded manner with two technically different CAD systems: the full-time point (FTP) method (Cadsciences; White Plains, NY, USA) and the Dynacad version 1.1 (Invivo; Pewaukee, WI, USA). RESULTS: After CAD, all three readers classified more malignant lesions as BI-RADS 4 or 5 (suspicious or highly suggestive of malignancy). However, this increase in sensitivity revealed only statistical significance for observer 3 (p < 0.05). After CAD, the two experienced readers categorized about the same quantity of benign lesions correctly as BI-RADS 2. Observer 3 classified less benign lesions as BI-RADS 2 after both CAD analyses; i. e. the specificity decreased. The subjective confidence of all observers increased after analysis with Dynacad. Observer 3 also reported to be more confident after the FTP method. CONCLUSION: Computer-assisted detection can be a useful additional diagnostic tool for the radiologist in the interpretation of MR mammographies, but does not have the potential to replace the professional experience of a radiologist.