Breast MRI at Highfield

Abstract

Puropose: Breast MR imaging has an established role for staging primary cancer and for diagnosing recurrent tumor. Recently, it has also been suggested as screening tool in specific high risk cohorts. In particular in a screening setting, a high PPV is mandatory. One way to improve the technique's PPV is by improving morphologic analysis of enhancing lesions by higher matrix imgaing. MR systems operating at stronger magnetic fields (e.g. 3.0T) may offer the higher SNR that is necessary for high-matrix time-resolved MR imaging. On the other hand, high field systems may go along with specific difficulties that are due to stronger susceptibility effects, longer T1 relaxation times, and higher RF deposition. Aim of this study was first, to establish a clinically useful and stable pulse sequence for bilateral dynamic contrast enhanced breast MRI at 3.0T that would provide about the same diagnostic information as breast MRI at 1.5T. Second, we strived to establish pulse sequences that would provide a higher spatial resolution compared to what is currently attainable at 1.5T.