SHADED-SURFACE RENDERING OF MR-IMAGES OF THE BREAST - TECHNIQUE, APPLICATIONS, AND IMPACT ON SURGICAL-MANAGEMENT OF BREAST DISEASE

Contrast material-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is reported to be the most accurate modality for determining the extent of breast cancer before surgery, Three-dimensionally rendered MR images can be used as an adjunct in planning breast surgery, Semiautomated methods a re used to isolate the breast tissue within high-resolution MR images and to render the skin with a shaded-surface method, Cut-away views re veal lesions in the interior of the breast, Cut-plane shaded-surface d isplay provides the surgeon with information on the size, extent, and spatial relationships of a breast lesion in a simple, intuitive format , This technique can help the surgeon plan a breast biopsy, lumpectomy , or mastectomy that will maximize local control of breast cancer whil e minimizing cosmetic damage to the unaffected portions of the breast, In a review of 15 clinical cases, cut-plane shaded-surface rendering aided surgical planning in 10 cases.