Dynamic MR-mammography: evaluation with parameter images of relative signal intensity changes

Since 200 to 300 images are acquired during dynamic MR-mammography, evaluation with simple image analysis is no longer possible. The authors therefore developed a method that focuses the attention of the investigator on potential pathologic foci and, at the same time, provides a simple approach to a quantitative analysis of the kinetics of contrast enhancement. The method ist based on a pixel by pixel calculation on the percent increase of signal intensity relative to the plain scans. These numbers are displayed as a pseudo color image. The range of colors is chosen to show a change from blue/green ro red at a percent contrast enhancement at which a lesion becomes potentially malignant. After thorough description of the method, the feasibility is demonstrated with some examples. (orig.)