Thirty-seven patients were evaluated for suspected breast cancer by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using 0.5- and 1.5-Tesla. We esamined the patterns in breast images and the use of MRI in evaluating neoplasms. At the moment the cost/benefit ratio is unfavorable, mainly because of the availability of alternative methods of high accuracy and low cost, like mammography and ultrasonography. Furthermore fine needle aspiration biopsy is not possible with MRI. The widespread use of MRI for breast pathology seems not to be justified by the results obtained.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
El YousefS.J., O'ConnellD.M., DuchesneauR.H., SmithM.J., HubayC.A., GuytonS.P.: Benign and malignant breast disease: magnetic resonance and radiofrequency pulse sequences. A.J.R., 145: 1–8, July 1985.
2.
El YousefS.J.: The breast. In: Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Body.HiggingC.B., HricakH. (Eds.), pp. 227-238, of the body. HiggingC.B., HricakH. (Eds.), pp. 227–238, Raven Press, New York, 1987.
3.
GohaganJ.K., SpitznagelE.L., MurphyW.A., VannierM.W., DixonW.T., GersellD.J., RossnickS.L., TottyW.G., Des-touetJ.M., RickmanD.L., SpraggingsT.A., ButterfieldR.L.: Multispectral analysis of MR images of the breast. Radiology, 163: 703–707, 1987.
4.
HeywangS.H., FenzlG., EiermannW., PermanetterW., LissnerJ.: Magnetic resonance imaging of the breast with Ga-DTPA: Development of diagnostic criteria. Contrast Agents in Magnetic Resonance ImagingRungeV.M., ClaussenC., FelixR., JamesA.E. (Eds.), pp. 155–158, Excerpta Medica Inc., Amsterdam, 1986.
5.
HeywangS.H., FenzlG., HahnD., KrischkeI., EdmaierM., BassermanR.: MR imaging of the breast: comparison with mammography and ultrasound. J. Comput. Assist. Tomogr., 10(4): 615–620, 1986.
6.
LamarqueJ.L., PujolJ., RouanetJ.P., RodiereM.J.: Breast pathology in MRI. Ottimizzazione dell'Imaging nei tessuti molli: iter diagnostico integrato. III Corso Convegno Internazionale, Rieti, 16-17-18 October 1986, pp. 232–239, Marrapese - Roma.
