MRI-guided breast lesion localization and lesion analysis

Objective: To analyze the indications, techniques of MR-guided localization and the imaging features of breast lesion. Methods: Hook wire localization was performed in 43 patients whose lesions were only detected by MRI, based on a 1.5 T MR scanner and a special MR biopsy positioning frame. The feasibility of operation and accuracy of localization were explored. Lesion features and pathologic findings were analyzed using Fisher exact test. Results: A total of 37 patients (86.0%) with 38 lesions underwent MR-guided localization. Of the 6 patients canceled, the lesions were not obvious in 4 patients,and the positioning was difficult in 2 cases. Of the 38 lesions, 17 were masses, 20 were non-mass enhancement lesions, and one lesion was undetermined enhancement. There were 11 (28.9%) malignant lesions. The distribution of internal enhancement pattern was different between benign and malignant non-mass lesions (P = 0.028), while the other morphological features between benign and malignant were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Conclusions: MR-guided localization provides an accurate and safe method for localizing the suspicious lesions on MRI. The morphological findings of these lesions are not characteristic for the differentiation of benign and malignant lesions. (authors)