The Diagnostic Accuracy of Abbreviated Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Abbreviated Breast MRI)

Abstract

Objective: Abbreviated Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a fast and a selected scan, used for screening women at high risk of breast cancer. The objective of this study is to assess the diagnostic accuracy of a new shortened Abbreviated Protocol (AP) relative to Full Diagnostic Protocol (FDP).
 Methods: 206 breast MRIs were evaluated, respectively. AP was derived from the FDP and re-recorded. The new report was compared with the report of the previous FDP. The interpretation time of the shortened protocol was recorded. The results of the two protocols in terms of finding the lesion were compared using sensitivity, specificity, NPV, and PPV according to the histopathology results.
 Results: 124 of 206 MRIs were malignant and 82 of 206 MRIs were benign. The average interpretation time was 58±35s with AP. The MIP sequence evaluation time was only 17±12s. The PPV, NPV, sensitivity and specificity values for AP MRI were 93.0%, 94.8%, 96.77%, 96.8% and 89.0% respectively. The PPV, NPV, sensitivity and specificity values for FDP MRI were 94.5%, 96.2%, 97.6% and 91.5% respectively. There was no significant difference in sensitivity and specificity for both protocols (p< 0.05).
 Conclusion: AP is a new and shorter version of a Breast MRI. The diagnostic accuracy of abbreviated breast MRI for the detection of breast lesions shows a high level of sensitivity and specificity, with the advantages of shortening both the exam time and the interpretation time.