Ae. Holland et al., Correlation of high-resolution breast MR imaging with histopathology; Validation of a technique, J MAGN R I, 11(6), 2000, pp. 601-606
A high-resolution three-dimensional surface gradient coil set was used to o
btain magnetic resonance (MR) images of breast specimens, using a gradient-
echo pulse sequence (TR/TE 1000/8 msec, flip angle 75 degrees), with 117 mu
m in-plane resolution and I mm slice thickness. Breast tissues were obtaine
d from one autopsy and three surgical specimens. High-resolution breast MR
images and histopathology sections (7 mum thickness) were acquired in the s
ame anatomical plane. Radiographs were acquired of the sliced specimens (ap
proximately 5 mm thick) so that images from all three methods could be corr
elated. It was found that in vitro high-resolution breast MRI correlated we
ll with low-resolution microscopic histology, demonstrating normal anatomy
(lobules, ducts, connective tissue strands, blood vessels) and pathology (t
umor content, margins, and presence of microcalcifications) of the breast m
ore clearly than conventional pre-gadolinium breast MRI. High-resolution br
east MRI may improve specificity, when added to a coventional breast MRI pr
otocol. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2000; 11:601-606. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.