Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI in the differentiation of breast tumors: user-defined versus semi-automated region-of-interest analysis

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR mammography is an increasingly used method of evaluating breast pathology. The purpose of this study was to compare two semi-automated methods of region of interest (ROI) analysis with a user-defined method, in the discrimination of breast tumors using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. Results are presented from the retrospective analysis of 81 malignant and 36 benign breast lesions. The study demonstrates the importance of a consistent ROI strategy and also shows that semi-automated approaches offer a standardized method, which may improve the discrimination of primary breast tumors. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 1999; 10:945-949.