Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Breast

2001 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 399-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher P. Goscin ◽  
Claudia G. Berman ◽  
Robert A. Clark

Background Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the potential to become a useful adjunct in breast imaging. Contrast-enhanced breast MRI has demonstrated a high sensitivity in the detection of invasive breast cancer. In clinical studies, breast MRI has often altered the course of patient care. Although promising results have been generated, MRI of the breast is currently in a development stage. Methods The authors reviewed the literature on the potential indications, sensitivity, specificity, and limitations of MRI of the breast. Results Reported advantages of MRI of the breast over conventional imaging techniques include improved staging and treatment planning, enhanced evaluation of the augmented breast, better detection of recurrence, and improved screening of high-risk women. Contrast-enhanced breast MRI is a sensitive modality for detecting breast cancer, but its variable specificity is a major limitation. Conclusions MRI of the breast is emerging as a valuable adjunct to mammography and sonography for specific clinical indications. Additional clinical studies that define indications, interpretation criteria, imaging parameters, and cost effectiveness are needed. A multi-institutional study designed to address these issues is in progress.

2021 ◽  
pp. e521
Author(s):  
Anna Grażyńska ◽  
Sofija Antoniuk ◽  
Katarzyna Steinhof-Radwańska

Accurate morphological assessment and measurement of the residual disease following neoadjuvant chemotherapy are vital for the effective surgical treatment in patients with breast cancer. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy response is measured by RECIST 1.1 criteria (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors), and the classification of the specific therapeutic responses is based on the difference in the tumour size prior to and after chemotherapy. There are currently a few methods of imaging used in the assessment of the neoadjuvant chemotherapy response. Conventional mammography remains the most popular method, whereas magnetic resonance imaging is considered the most effective ones. Nonetheless, the available methods tend to be imperfect and limited, and therefore, new methods are constantly investigated. Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography is a relatively new method used in breast cancer diagnosis, which involves the phenomenon of neoangiogenesis of cancerous tumours, allowing contrast enhancement in the areas of vessel proliferation in the background of the surrounding breast tissue. Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography presents sensitivity similar to magnetic resonance imaging in breast cancer detection, and can be an efficient method used in monitoring neoadjuvant chemotherapy response.


2013 ◽  
Vol 09 (01) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Demitrios Tzias ◽  
Elizabeth AM O’Flynn ◽  
Steven D Allen ◽  
A Robin M Wilson ◽  
◽  
...  

Despite extensive research into new ways of imaging the breast x-ray mammography and breast ultrasound, supplemented where necessary by magnetic resonance imaging, remain the techniques used for the vast majority of breast imaging for screening and the assessment of symptomatic breast problems. Recent advances in these technologies mean that these three techniques are highly effective for both detecting disease and for confirming normality. X-ray based imaging of the breast has been around now for 100 years but it is only in the last 10 years or so that digital technology developments have allowed for major advances in the efficacy of this technique. Digital breast tomosynthesis is currently the most promising technology as it has the potential to both improve detection of breast cancer and greatly reduce the numbers of false positive events. Technological advances in grey scale high frequency ultrasound imaging mean that it is now universally used in both symptomatic diagnosis and breast screening. Newer ultrasound techniques such as 3D imaging, Doppler analyses and elastography add some additional value but so far none of these has achieved their hoped for additional potential. Magnetic resonance imaging is currently the most sensitive imaging technique for the detection and characterisation of breast disease, but its cost remains a barrier to its more widespread use. Nuclear medicine techniques have a role is special circumstances but are yet to show that they should be used in routine practice. There are a large number of potential alternative new imaging techniques for the breast, but, as yet, none of these have shown any significant benefits over the current techniques. Dedicated breast computed tomography has perhaps the best promise but clinically effective breast imaging at present remains in the application and refinement of recent developments in digital mammography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging.


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