Correlation of lesion appearance and histologic findings for the nodes of a breast MR imaging interpretation model

An interpretation model for evaluating magnetic resonance (MR) images of th e breast was constructed that allowed differentiation of benign from malign ant palpable or mammographically visible abnormalities. Architectural featu res define each node of the model, Investigation was subsequently made of t he histologic findings in individuals within each node and of the frequency with which each histologic finding manifested as a particular architectura l feature to determine whether nodal location and specific histologic findi ngs are mutually predictive, The strongest associations were found between fibrocystic change and smooth masses, fibroadenoma and lobulated masses wit h nonenhancing internal septations, invasive ductal carcinoma (with or with out ductal carcinoma in situ [DCIS]) and enhancing irregular or spiculated masses, invasive tubular carcinoma or radial scar and spiculated masses, me dullary or colloid carcinoma and enhancing lobulated masses, invasive lobul ar carcinoma and the absence of a focal mass, DCIS and ductal enhancement, and DCIS (with or without invasive ductal carcinoma) and regional enhanceme nt. Nodal location and histologic findings proved to be mutually predictive within the model; that is, the nodal location of MR imaging features withi n the model can be used to predict histologic findings and vice versa,