MR characterization of breast pathology using inversion recovery sequence

: As yet, a valid tissue characterization of human breast diseases has not been possible with conventional MR techniques. On the basis of the experimental thesis according to which fibroadenomas and carcinomas have a slight, though significant, difference in T1 relaxation times, we employed specific inversion recovery sequences at the T null of the breast glandular and adipose tissues, to enhance the differences in the signal intensities of the various pathologies. We examined 16 (6 cystic dysplasias, 5 fibroadenomas, 3 carcinomas, and 1 phylloid fibroadenoma) selected patients with the above-mentioned sequences in addition to the routine T1- and T2-weighted spin echo sequences. The following conclusions were reached by evaluating the characteristic signal intensities: MR spin echo sequences allow solid lesions to be distinguished from cystic ones; MR inversion recovery sequences allow fibroadenomas to be distinguished from carcinomas with 88% accuracy.