Non-mass-like enhancement on contrast-enhanced breast MR imaging: Lesion characterization using combination of dynamic contrast-enhanced and diffusion-weighted MR images

Purpose

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a combination of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging (DCE-MRI) and diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) in characterization of lesions showing non-mass-like enhancement on breast MR imaging and to find the strongest discriminators between carcinoma and benignancy.

Materials and methods

We analyzed consecutive MR images in 45 lesions showing non-mass like enhancement in 41 patients. We analyzed lesion size, distribution, internal enhancement, kinetic curve pattern, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. We applied univariate and multivariate analyses to find the strongest indicators for malignancy. In a validation study, 22 non-mass-like enhancement lesions in 21 patients were examined. We calculated diagnostic accuracy when we presume category 4b, 4c, and 5 lesions as malignant or high to moderate suspicion for malignancy, and category 4a and 3 as low suspicion for malignancy or benign.

Results

Segmental distribution (P = 0.018), clumped internal enhancement (P = 0.005), and ADC less than 1.3 × 10⁻³ mm²/s (P = 0.047) were the strongest MR indicators of malignancy. In a validation study, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were 87% (13/15), 86% (6/7), 93% (13/14), 75% (6/8) and 86% (19/22), respectively.

Conclusion

The combination of DCE-MRI and DWI showed high diagnostic accuracy in characterization of non-mass-like enhancement lesions on breast MR images.     

Enhanced mass on contrast-enhanced breast MR imaging: Lesion characterization using combination of dynamic contrast-enhanced and diffusion-weighted MR images

Purpose

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a combination of dynamic contrast‐enhanced MR imaging (DCE‐MRI) and diffusion‐weighted MR imaging (DWI) in characterization of enhanced mass on breast MR imaging and to find the strongest discriminators between carcinoma and benignancy.

Materials and Methods

We analyzed consecutive breast MR images in 270 patients; however, 13 lesions in 93 patients were excluded based on our criteria. We analyzed tumor size, shape, margin, internal mass enhancement, kinetic curve pattern, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. We applied univariate and multivariate analyses to find the strongest indicators of malignancy and calculate a predictive probability for malignancy. We added the corresponding categories to these prediction probabilities for malignancy and calculated diagnostic accuracy when we consider category 4b, 4c, and 5 lesions as malignant and category 4a, 3, and 2 lesions as benign. In a validation study, 75 enhancing lesions in 71 patients were examined consecutively.

Results

Irregular margin, heterogeneous internal enhancement, rim enhancement, plateau time–intensity curve (TIC) pattern, and washout TIC pattern were the strongest indicators of malignancy as well as past studies, and ADC values less than 1.1 × 10^?3 mm²/s were also the strongest indicators of malignancy. In a validation study, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 92% (56/61), 86% (12/14), 97% (56/58), 71% (12/17), and 91% (68/75), respectively.

Conclusion

The combination of DWI and DCE‐MRI could produce high diagnostic accuracy in the characterization of enhanced mass on breast MR imaging. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;28:1157–1165. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

     

磁共振DWI及动态增强扫描在前列腺疾病诊断中的价值

目的探讨磁共振扩散加权成像(DWI)和动态增强扫描(DCE-MRI)在前列腺疾病中的诊断价值。方法经穿刺活检或手术病理证实的20例前列腺癌及31例前列腺增生(BPH)患者进行了MR常规扫描、DWI和DCE-MRI扫描,测量病变的表观扩散系数(ADC)值,观察病灶常规MRI、DWI和动态增强MRI特征,绘制信号强度-时间曲线(SI-T曲线),SI-T曲线分成3型:Ⅰ型为信号强度早期增高后仍持续增高;Ⅱ型为信号强度早期增高后出现平台期;Ⅲ型为信号强度早期增高后出现下降期。经方差分析比较不同组织和病灶间差异。结果经DCE-MRI检查,20例前列腺癌患者中17例病灶区呈Ⅲ型曲线,2例呈Ⅱ型曲线,1例呈Ⅰ型曲线;31例前列腺增生患者中26例呈Ⅰ型曲线,4例呈Ⅱ型曲线,1例呈Ⅲ型曲线。前列腺癌组与BPH组的SI-T曲线类型分布的差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。20例前列腺癌病灶于DWI上为高信号,于ADC图上呈明显低信号,ADC值为(1.18±0.08)×10-3 mm2/s,未被癌组织侵及的外围叶于DWI、ADC图上均呈等信号,ADC值为(2.67±0.09)×10-3 mm2/s;31例前列腺增生患者中央叶和外围叶于DWI、ADC图上均呈等信号,ADC值分别为(1.87±0.07)×10-3 mm2/s、(2.64±0.11)×10-3mm2/s。除前列腺增生的外围叶与未被癌组织侵及的外围叶之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)外,前列腺增生、前列腺癌、前列腺增生的外围叶和未被癌组织侵及的外围叶各组之间差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。DCE-MRI和DWI联合应用在前列腺癌诊断的敏感度、特异度和准确度均达80%以上。结论 DCE-MRI、DWI在前列腺癌和前列腺增生中具有特征性影像学表现,2种方法联合应用提高了MRI诊断前列腺癌的诊断和分期准确率。     

磁共振动态增强、扩散加权成像联合应用对乳腺病变的诊断价值

目的：探讨单一磁共振动态增强扫描诊断试验、扩散加权成像诊断试验及其联合应用对乳腺病变定性诊断的敏感性、特异性和阳性似然比、阴性似然比,比较其诊断效能。方法：对临床拟诊肿块的患者37例,同时进行动态增强扫描和扩散加权成像检查,均获得手术和病理证实,其中良性病灶18个,恶性病灶19个。对病变的边缘、形态特征、动态增强表现及时间一信号强度曲线采用评分法对病变性质分恶性、可疑恶性及良性三组进行判断。参照动态增强病变位置确定扩散图像病变所在,描记扩散图像上病变的感兴趣区,由软件计算获得表观扩散系数（ADC）值。对获取数据进行统计分析,采用t检验统计学方法进行良性和恶性ADC值比较。联合动态增强扫描和ADC值,采用评分法根据积分情况进行综合定性诊断。比较动态增强扫描、DWI ADC值及联合应用对乳腺病变定性诊断效能。结果：动态增强扫描（病灶边缘、形态学表现结合时间-信号强度曲线）诊断乳腺病变的敏感性、特异性和阳性似然比、阴性似然比分别为89．5％、72．2％和3．221、0．146。良性病变组ADC值1．474±0．441（×100^-3mm^2／s）,恶性病变组ADC值1．082±0．160（×10^-3mm^2／s）,两者间有显著统计学差异（P=0．002,〈0．05）。ADC值诊断敏感性、特异性和阳性似然比、阴性似然比分别为94．7％、66．7％和2．842、0．079。动态增强扫描和DWI-ADC值联合诊断的敏感性、特异性和阳性似然比、阴性似然比分别为94．7％、83．3％和5．684、0．063。结论：磁共振动态增强、扩散加权成像联合应用对乳腺病变的定性诊断敏感性、特异性、阳性似然比、阴性似然比均较单一动态增强扫描或扩散成像诊断效能强。     

Dual dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging

A method was devised for obtaining dynamic contrast-enhanced T1-weighted and relaxation rate (ΔR2*) images simultaneously to evaluate regional hemodyn-amics of the brain tumors. On a 1.5-T MR system, dual dynamic contrast-enhanced images were obtained using a gradient echo (dual echo fast field echo) pulse sequence with the keyhole technique to improve temporal and spatial resolution during a rapid bolus injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine. The dynamic T1 contrast images were obtained from the first echo; moreover. ∫ ΔR2*dt values were calculated from the first and the second echo images. The dynamic T1 contrast images provided information about characteristic enhancement pattern (vascularization and disruption of bloodbrain barrier), and the f ΔR2*dt values provided a map of regional blood pool in tumor site, peritumoral edema, and other surrounding regions of the brain. The ability to obtain dynamic contrast-enhanced T1 contrast and ΔR2* imaging at the same time allows optimization of the advantages of each and thereby more information about the microvascular circulation of the brain lesions.     

Added value of diffusion-weighted MR imaging to T2-weighted and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging in T staging of gastric cancer

ObjectiveTo assess the utilization of diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in T staging of gastric cancer prospectively.MethodsFifty-one patients underwent T2-weighted (T2W), contrast-enhanced (CE) and DW MR imaging. Two radiologists independently interpreted the images for T staging of the tumors.ResultsThe overall accuracy of T staging in pT1-4 gastric cancers by T2W+CE+DW (88.2%) was significantly higher than that by T2W+CE and T2W+DW (both 76.5%, P= .031).ConclusionDW adds useful information to T2W and CE MR imaging in T staging of gastric cancer.     

Synovial sarcoma: dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging features

Objective. To determine whether previously described so-called malignant dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features – early start, peripheral enhancement and early plateau or washout phase – occur consistently in synovial sarcoma. Design and patients. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR images of 10 patients with histologically proven synovial sarcoma were reviewed. The start, pattern and progression of tumor enhancement were assessed and correlated with histopathology. Results. In all patients, the time interval between arterial and early tumor enhancement was less than 7 s (mean 4.40 s, SD 2.09 s). Six synovial sarcomas showed enhancement with a subsequent rapidly progressive linear increase in signal intensity followed by a plateau in one lesion and washout in five. Four lesions showed a late sustained increase in enhancement after the initial rapid increase in enhancement. The pattern of initial enhancement was peripheral in only two lesions, diffuse in four and heterogeneous in four lesions. Conclusions. Enhancement of tumor within 7 s after arterial enhancement is, of the three parameters described previously, the only sign that occurs consistently in synovial sarcoma. Received: 2 May 2000 Revision requested: 26 July 2000 Revision received: 19 September 2000 Accepted: 21 September 2000     

Value of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging in diagnosing and classifying peripheral vascular malformations

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate prospectively whether MR imaging, including dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging, could be used to categorize peripheral vascular malformations and especially to identify venous malformations that do not need angiography for treatment. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this blinded prospective study, two observers independently correlated MR imaging findings of 27 patients having peripheral vascular malformations with those of diagnostic angiography and additional venography. MR diagnosis of the category, based on a combination of conventional and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR parameters, was compared with the angiographic diagnosis using gamma statistics. Sensitivity and specificity of conventional MR imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging in differentiating venous from nonvenous malformations were determined. RESULTS: Excellent agreement between the two observers in determining MR categories (gamma = 0.99) existed. Agreement between MR categories and angiographic categories was high for both observers (gamma = 0.97 and 0.92). Sensitivity of conventional MR imaging in differentiating venous and nonvenous malformations was 100%, whereas specificity was 24-33%. Specificity increased to 95% by adding dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging, but sensitivity decreased to 83%. CONCLUSION: Conventional and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR parameters can be used in combination to categorize vascular malformations. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging allows diagnosis of venous malformations with high specificity.     

Hepatic metastases: diffusion-weighted sensitivity-encoding versus SPIO-enhanced MR imaging

PURPOSE: To retrospectively compare accuracy of diffusion-weighted (DW) single-shot echo-planar imaging with sensitivity encoding (SENSE) with that of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the evaluation of hepatic metastases due to extrahepatic malignancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients provided informed consent; ethics committee approval was not required. The data of 24 patients (16 men, eight women; age range, 41-68 years; mean age, 61.9 years) with 40 resected hepatic metastases were retrospectively reviewed. Before SPIO administration, DW SENSE imaging and T2-weighted fast spin-echo (SE) and T1-weighted dual-echo fast field-echo (FFE) MR imaging were performed. After SPIO administration, T2-weighted fast SE, T1-weighted dual-echo, and T2*-weighted FFE MR examinations were performed. Images were divided into two sets: The SPIO-enhanced MR image set consisted of pre- and postcontrast T2-weighted fast SE and dual-echo T1-weighted FFE images and postcontrast T2*-weighted FFE images. The DW SENSE image set included DW SENSE images and precontrast T2-weighted fast SE and dual-echo T1-weighted FFE images. Three radiologists individually interpreted these images and sorted the confidence levels for presence of hepatic metastasis in each section into five grades. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (A(z)) was calculated for each image set. RESULTS: Hepatic metastases showed higher signal intensity on DW SENSE images than on T2-weighted fast SE images. Conversely, signals from vessels and cysts were suppressed with DW SENSE imaging. ROC analysis showed higher A(z) values when the DW SENSE image set was interpreted (0.90) than when the SPIO-enhanced MR image set was interpreted (0.81). The sensitivity and specificity, respectively, of total cases were 0.66 and 0.90, for the SPIO-enhanced MR image set and 0.82 and 0.94 for the DW SENSE image set. During SPIO-enhanced MR image interpretation, lesions 1 cm in diameter or smaller showed significantly lower sensitivity than lesions larger than 1 cm in diameter. During both interpretation sessions, left lobe lesions showed significantly lower sensitivity than right lobe lesions. CONCLUSION: Combined reading of DW SENSE images and T2-weighted fast SE and dual-echo T1-weighted FFE MR images showed higher accuracy in the detection of hepatic metastases than did reading of SPIO-enhanced MR images.     

Polycystic ovary syndrome: dynamic contrast-enhanced ovary MR imaging

OBJECTIVE: to determine the enhancement behaviour of the ovaries in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (DCE-MR) imaging and to compare these data with those of normal ovulating controls. METHOD: 24 women with PCOS and 12 controls underwent DCE-MR imaging. Dynamic images were acquired before and after injection of a contrast bolus at 30 s and the min of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. On postprocessing examination: (i) the ovarian volumes; (ii) the signal intensity value of each ovary per dynamic study; (iii) early-phase enhancement rate; (iv) time to peak enhancement (T(p)); and (v) percentage of washout of 5th min were determined. Data of the ovaries of the women with PCOS and controls were compared with Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: the mean values of T(p) were found to be significantly lower in women with PCOS than in controls (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the mean values of ovarian volume, the early-phase enhancement rate, and percentage of washout of 5th min of ovaries were significantly higher in PCOS patients (p < 0.05). Examination of the mean signal intensity-time curve revealed the ovaries in women with PCOS showed a faster and greater enhancement and wash-out. CONCLUSION: the enhancement behaviour of ovaries of women with PCOS may be significantly different from those of control subjects on DCE-MR imaging examination. In our experience, it is a valuable modality to highlight the vascularization changes in ovarian stroma with PCOS. We believe that improved DCE-MR imaging techniques may also provide us additional parameters in the diagnosis and treatment strategies of PCOS.     

Intraparenchymal brain metastases: MR imaging versus contrast-enhanced CT

Prospective and retrospective studies of 75 patients were performed to assess the sensitivities of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of suspected intraparenchymal brain metastases. The findings on MR images were equivalent to those on CT scans in 49 of the 75 patients; the remaining findings were discordant in 26 patients, and neither MR imaging nor CT was consistently superior. MR imaging demonstrated more metastases in nine of these 26 patients. However, contrast material-enhanced CT scans were superior in lesion depiction in eight of the 26 patients. Large enhanced lesions that were nearly isointense on MR images were seen well on CT scans. In several cases in which results were discordant, gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-enhanced MR images were obtained, and this agent behaved similarly to iodinated contrast agents. If indicated clinically, such as before surgery for a single metastasis, the authors perform both MR imaging and contrast-enhanced CT. Gd-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging may prove to be the method of choice for depiction of intraparenchymal metastases.     

Triple-negative invasive breast cancer on dynamic contrast-enhanced and diffusion-weighted MR imaging: comparison with other breast cancer subtypes

Objectives

To determine the MRI features of triple-negative invasive breast cancer (TNBC) on dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging (DCE-MRI) and diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) in comparison with ER-positive/HER2-negative (ER+) and HER2-positive cancer (HER2+).

Methods

A total of 271 invasive cancers in 269 patients undergoing preoperative MRI and surgery were included. Two radiologists retrospectively assessed morphological and kinetic characteristics on DCE-MRI and tumour detectability on DWI. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of lesions were measured. Clinical and MRI features of the three subtypes were compared.

Results

Compared with ER+ (n?=?119) and HER2+ (n?=?94), larger size, round/oval mass shape, smooth mass margin, and rim enhancement on DCE-MRI were significantly associated with TNBC (n?=?58; P??3?mm²/s) of TNBC (1.03) was higher than the mean ADC values for ER+ and HER2+ (0.89 and 0.84; P?P?=?0.099). Tumour size (P?=?0.009), mass margin (smooth, P?P?=?0.020), and ADC values (P?=?0.002) on DCE-MRI and DWI were independent features of TNBC.

Conclusions

In addition to the morphological features, higher ADC values on DWI were independently associated with TNBC and could be useful in differentiating TNBC from ER+ and HER2+.

Key Points

? Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) lack oestrogen/progesterone receptors and HER2 expression/amplification. ? TNBCs are larger, better defined and more necrotic than conventional cancers. ? On MRI, necrosis yields high T2-weighted signal intensity and ADCs. ? High ADC values can be useful in diagnosing TNBC.     

侵袭性三阴性乳腺癌动态增强和扩散加权MRI的特点:与其他类型乳腺癌对比

摘要目的通过与ER+/HER2-(ER+)和HER2+乳腺癌对比在动态增强、扩散加权MRI中的表现,明确侵袭性三阴性乳腺癌的MRI特征。方法共269例侵袭性乳腺癌病人、271个病灶纳入研究。由2名影像科医师回顾性分析DCE-MRI上病变的形态学和动态增强扫描特征,以及DWI对肿瘤检出率,并测量各个病灶的ADC值。     

模拟计算型扩散加权MR成像有望提高肿瘤的检出率

目的介绍以低b值行扩散加权(DW)MR成像来获得高b值图像的模拟计算型DWI法,并探讨其在肿瘤中提高病灶检出率的可行性。材料与方法本研究获得机构审查委员会批准,并获得所有受检者的书面知情同意。采用     

肾脏肿瘤的MR动态增强扫描研究

目的:探讨MR动态增强扫描在肾脏肿瘤诊断和鉴别诊断中的价值。方法:对21例肾细胞癌、11例肾错构瘤和6例肾囊肿行MR常规检查及动态增强和延迟增强扫描,测量病灶的信号强度,绘制时间-对比增强率曲线并对动态增强的类型及血液动力学改变进行分析。结果:肾脏肿瘤动态增强后的时间-对比增强率曲线不同,富血供肾癌在早期强化并逐渐上升,但其时间-对比增强率曲线无明显峰值;乏血供肾癌早期轻度强化,缓慢上升至60s后趋于稳定;肾错构瘤早期即明显强化,于30s达到强化高峰后快速下降;肾囊肿则无明显强化。结论:通过定量分析肾脏肿瘤的信号强度,动态增强MRI可以提供肿瘤的血供信息,有助于肾脏肿瘤的诊断和鉴别诊断。