Characterization of Breast Lesions: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Abstract

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) provides image contrast through measurement of the diffusion properties of water within tissues. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for the detection and characterization of breast lesions compared with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, dynamic curve, ultrasound, mammography and biopsy. Included fifty cases from adult women with 50 breast lesions, their ages were between 26 and 80 years (mean age: 41.78±12.48 years). All patients were examined on MRI protocol: T1, T2 weighted images, Diffusion weight image (DWI), dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE- MRI) and BI-RAD. Of these 50 patients, 18 underwent breast MRI with ultrasound, mammography and biopsy. 21 patients underwent breast MRI, ultrasound and mammography .28 patients underwent MRI and biopsy. The study took place during the period from June 2013 up to June 2014, at Dr. Suleiman AL Habib Medical Center-Olaya. The results of histopathology examination were chosen as the reference standard for lesion evaluation. Findings could either be benign or malignant, and the lesion type was recorded. Findings were