MRI findings of inflammatory breast diseases with pathologic correlation in non-lactating woman

Objective: To evaluate the MRI findings of inflammatory breast diseases with pathologic correlation in non-lactating woman. Methods: Seventy-eight patients with non-lactating inflammatory breast diseases confirmed by surgicopathology were respectively reviewed. All these patients had a preoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI examination, and 27 had undergone the DWI. MRI findings were reviewed for dynamic enhancement characteristics and the DWI findings. The internal enhancement patterns were classified as rim enhancement, heterogeneous(I and II), homogenous enhancement, and clumped enhancement. The four main pathological findings were reviewed as follows: abscess, dilated duct, inflammatory cyst, and other inflammatory changes. The MRI findings of the lesion and the corresponding pathological features were analyzed. Results: Among the 78 patients, internal enhancement patterns were rim enhancement(n = 55), heterogeneous enhancement I (n = 10), heterogeneous enhancement II(n = 9), homogenous enhancement(n = 2), and clumped enhancement(n = 2). Of the 27 patients who underwent DWI, 17 patients showed rim enhancement and a central hyperintensity on DWI, the pathological findings were more frequently inflammatory cyst(n = 9) and abscess(n = 8). One patient showed rim enhancement and a peripheral hyperintensity on DWI, the pathological finding was an inflammatory cyst. Of the 3 patients showing heterogeneous enhancement I and heterogenous hyperintensity on DWI, the pathological findings were other inflammatory changes. Of the 6 patients showing heterogeneous enhancement II and oval or linear hyperintensity on DWI, the pathological findings were abscess(n = 5) and dilated duct(n = 3). Conclusions: Inflammatory breast diseases in non-lactating women show relative characteristic features on MRI. MRI findings of these kinds of diseases are associated with its pathological background. (authors)