Breast magnetic resonance imaging: a computer-based analysis of enhancement curves

The aim of this work is to report our experience in contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) automatic analysis. This technique is usually used in our practice for the diagnosis of breast cancer. Study execution and semiautomatic data analysis require at least 1 hour of the radiologist. So, we decided to develop a tool that aids the radiologist in locating the regions of neoplastic angiogenesis and quickly plotting the enhancement curves. This is not a computer-aided diagnostic tool; of course, the curves are interpreting directly by the radiologist. We used a programmable graphical and calculus environment (Matlab, The Mathworks, Natick, MA) to develop a tool that interfaces directly with our picture archiving and communication system (PACS) via Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM), receives images, performs images subtraction, and shows some possible regions of interest (ROIs), each with an enhancement curve. The radiologist can also select other ROIs. The software shows a good performance (sensitivity, 100%). A low specificity (25%) is acceptable because the software allows the radiologist to save some time during each study.