Magnetic Resonance Breast Imaging Case Studies

Case #1

The following case shows magnetic resonance (MR) breast imaging of a patient with a benign fibroadenoma (a) and invasive lobular carcinoma (b). The two images (left and right) are taken from different planes before contrast injection (gadolinum) and then after contrast injection. The final set of pictures shows the post-contrast images subtracted from the pre-contrast images in order to display regions that are highlighted by the contrast. In particular, the subtracted images highlight the spiculated area that shows invasive lobular carcinoma. A subsequent biopsy on the patient confirmed the presence of cancer.

Images are courtesy of Robert A. Pooley, PhD and John Knudsen, MD of the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, David Thomasson, PhD of Georgetown University Hospital and Siemens Medical Solutions.

Before contrast injection:

A: Fibroadenoma	B: Invasive Lobular Carcinoma

Five minutes after contrast injection:

Subtracted images (only the cancer is visible):

Cases #2 - #6

The following cases show high resolution MR breast imaging of five patients. In each case, the breast fat is suppressed using water excitation ("WE") MR imaging. Images are courtesy of Georgetown University Hospital, Dr. S. Ascher, and Siemens Medical Systems, David Thomasson, PhD.

Case #2

Case #3:

Parenchyma = functional tissue ROI = Region of interest

Case #4 (pre-contrast on left, post-contrast on right):

Case #5: (pre-contrast on left, post-contrast on right):

Case #6 (pre-contrast on left, post-contrast on right):

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Updated: September 12, 2007