DYNAMIC MR MAMMOGRAPHY - CAN THE COURSE O F SIGNAL INTENSITY INCREASEBE SUITABLE FOR DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN DIFFERENT FORMS OF MASTOPATHY

Purpose: The capacity of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR mammography to d istinguish between different forms and grades of mastopathy according to Prechtel's classification was evaluated in a retrospective study. P atients and methods: MR mammograms of 51 patients with histologically proven mastopathy were retrospectively evaluated in areas subsequently biopsied. Results: Mean values of regressive and hyperplastic types o f mastopathy differed significantly no significant differences were fo und between proliferating acid non-proliferating mastopathies or Prech tel grades I - III mastopathy when MRI data obtained with a FLASH 3 D sequence (T-R = 8.4 ms, T-E = 3 ms, flip angle = 30 degrees at 1.0 T) were compared one minute, three, 5 and 8 minutes after i.v. bolus admi nistration of contrast media (Gd-DTPA, 0.1 mmol/kg body weight). Concl usion: Our data indicate that dynamic contrast-enhanced MR mammography does not allow the differentiation of proliferating and non-prolifera ting mastopathy according to the Prechtel classification. Dynamic MR m ammography assessment of breast cancer risk does not seem to be feasib le.