MR imaging of the breast

Among a total of 361 MR breast examinations made since March 1984, there were 205 dynamic gradient-echo sequences after injection of Gd-DTPA (0.1 mM/kg). Of 38 histologically proved carcinomas, 37 showed a sudden increase of signal intensity of > 90% within the first minutes after the injection and nearly a plateau level afterwards. Benign lesions showed a lower, slower, and progressive increase. One 6-mm carcinoma was not detected, and one fibroadenoma was misdiagnosed as a carcinoma. The author discusses a standardized examination technique is essential (infusion technique, injection place, stretched arm, section selection, transmitter and receiver adjustment, storage reservation, phase encoding direction, double breast coil, etc.)