Characterization of neoplastic and normal human breast tissues with in vivo H-1 MR spectroscopy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the detection of choline- containing compounds in in vivo H-1 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) o f breast lesions is specific for carcinomas, whether a choline peak in in v ivo H-1 MRS can be detected under physiological conditions of increased met abolism in breast parenchyma, and whether analysis of lipid signals can dif ferentiate between various breast lesions and tissues. Forty patients and v olunteers were examined with in vivo H-1 MR spectroscopy, Three spectra wit h identical localization but increasing echo times were obtained, Choline-c ontaining compounds were detected in 9 of 11 carcinomas and in 2 of 11 beni gn lesions. A choline signal was also detected in five of seven volunteers who were breast-feeding at the time of examination, demonstrating that chol ine compounds can be detected by in vivo H-1 MRS in breast tissue under phy siological conditions, Analysis of lipid signals did not contribute to diff erentiation between various breast lesions and tissues. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss , Inc.