DYNAMIC SEQUENTIAL 3D GADOLINIUM-ENHANCED MRI OF THE WHOLE BREAST

Dynamic contrast-enhanced 2D MR imaging of the breast has shown high s ensitivity and specificity for the detection and characterization of b reast lesions, We investigated the ability of a dynamic fast 3D MR ima ging technique that repeatedly scans the whole breast in 44-s interval s without an interscan delay time to obtain similar sensitivity and sp ecificity as 2D imaging, Fifty-six patients scheduled for breast biops y were entered into the study, and 83 lesions detected by 3D dynamic s canning were biopsied. Dynamic 3D contrast-enhanced breast imaging wit h subtraction detected and correctly classified all 23 cancers, and 44 of the 60 benign lesions yielding a sensitivity of 100%, a specificit y of 73%, and a 100% predictive negative value, The enhancement profil es of metastatic lymph nodes were similar to those of primary cancer, This technique allowed detection of multifocal and multicentric lesion s and did not require a priori knowledge of lesion location, These res ults indicate that dynamic contrast-enhanced 3D MRI of the whole breas t is a useful and economically feasible method for staging breast canc er, providing a comprehensive noninvasive method for total evaluation of the breast and axilla in patients considering breast conservation s urgery or lumpectomy.