Application of a mixed imaging sequence for MR imaging characterization of human breast disease.

Single slice MR images were obtained from 9 normal breasts, 17 breasts with benign tumors, and 11 breasts with malignant tumors using an interleaved (mixed) spin echo (SE) inversion-recovery (IR) imaging sequence. SE and IR MR images were synthesized with variable repetition, echo and inversion times from the mixed sequence data. These images were used to qualitatively evaluate the contrast possibilities available when imaging the breast with MR imaging. Proton T1 and T2 relaxation times were determined for normal breast tissues and malignant and benign breast tumors from pure T1 and T2 images calculated using the mixed sequence data. The mean T1 value in benign tumors of 1,049.02 +/- 40.31 was found to be significantly longer (p < 0.0001) than the mean value of malignant tumors (876.09 +/- 27.83) and normal tissues (795.64 +/- 21.12). The value of T2 in benign tumors (89.15 +/- 8.33) was significantly longer (p < 0.01) than the value of T2 in normal tissues (62.82 +/- 4.06). The mixed sequence can be applied to improve image contrast between malignant tumors, benign tumors, and normal tissues of the breast and can potentially differentiate between these tissues in vivo.

Magnetic resonance image appearance of hamartoma of the breast.

The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of a breast hamartoma are presented. The hamartoma was evaluated using several imaging techniques with and without gadolinium-DTPA. This case demonstrates that, in selected cases, MRI is of value as an adjunct to mammography and sonography.

Breast disease evaluation with fat-suppressed magnetic resonance imaging.

Thirty patients with a variety of pathologically confirmed malignant and benign pathologic lesions of the breast were evaluated with a spectrally selective fat suppression imaging technique to obtain fat-suppressed images of the breast. The technique, a selective partial inversion-recovery (SPIR) method, demonstrated the architectural relationship of malignant and benign tumors with respect to the normal water-containing elements of the breast. These relationships included signs of advanced malignant disease such as tissue retraction, invasive growth, and multicentricity, which appeared on the fat-suppressed images. Fat-suppressed imaging provided useful information for assessing the breasts of both pre- and postmenopausal women, especially in the latter group, where fatty involution of the breast is common. Microcysts, which are normally not visualized by conventional methods, were demonstrated and associated with patients having confirmed fibrocystic disease of the breast. As expected, the SPIR technique did not improve the ability to distinguish between tissues having similar T1 and T2 relaxation time values, such as malignant tumors and normal breast parenchymal tissues. The technique was able to demonstrate that the intense lipid signal, known to be responsible for obscuring the borders of water-fat interfaces and small tumors, could be eliminated in a variety of pathological settings.

MRI appearance of multiple papilloma of the breast.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is capable of providing a different diagnostic perspective in the evaluation of breast lesions. Its application in a single patient with multiple papilloma of the breast is described. MRI convincingly demonstrated the multicentric nature of the disease and helped to select a proper treatment plan. This report makes it clear that MRI could serve as an adjunct to mammography and sonography in selected cases.