HIGH-RESOLUTION MR-IMAGING OF THE BREAST - CLINICAL CONTEXT

Preliminary investigation into magnetic resonance (MR) imaging as a br east imaging technique has demonstrated several promising roles for th is modality when used as an adjunct to mammography for the detection a nd diagnosis of breast cancer. There are many technical factors that m ust be considered, including high resolution, rapid imaging, fat suppr ession, and localization and biopsy capability. Potential clinical app lications include differentiating benign from malignant lesions, detec ting cancer when results of clinical examination or conventional imagi ng are equivocal, detecting cancer recurrence after breast conservatio n treatment, staging newly diagnosed breast cancer, and detecting occu lt cancer in patients presenting with axillary node metastasis. Pitfal ls include false-positive and false-negative results, Awareness of the strengths and limitations of MR imaging of the breast will facilitate integration of this technique into the work-up of patients with suspi cious breast lesions.