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Menstrual cycle variation of apparent diffusion coefficients measured in the normal breast using MRI
S C Partridge1, G C McKinnon, R G Henry
1Magnetic Resonance Science Center, Department of Radiology, University of California-San Francisco, 1 Irving Street, San Francisco, CA 94143-1290, USA. scpartr@mrsc.ucsf.edu
Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging : JMRI
|October 13, 2001
Summary
Normal menstrual cycle fluctuations in breast apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values are minimal. This research indicates breast diffusion MRI measurements for tumor differentiation should account for this small, normal variability.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Oncology
Background:
- Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values can differentiate breast tumors from benign lesions.
- Understanding normal physiological variations in breast tissue is crucial for accurate interpretation of diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI).
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the normal variations in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of healthy breast parenchyma throughout the menstrual cycle.
- To assess the impact of the menstrual cycle on breast diffusion MRI measurements.
Main Methods:
- Eight healthy female subjects underwent weekly diffusion-weighted single-shot fast spin-echo (DW-SSFSE) MRI scans over a 4-week period.
- Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of breast fibroglandular tissue were calculated at each time point.
Main Results:
- A trend of decreased ADC was observed in the second week and increased ADC in the final week of the menstrual cycle.
- No statistically significant influence of the menstrual cycle on breast ADC values was detected.
- The coefficient of variation for breast ADC during the menstrual cycle was found to be 5.5%.
Conclusions:
- Normal fluctuations in breast parenchyma ADC values during the menstrual cycle are relatively small.
- Breast diffusion MRI findings, including tumor differentiation and treatment response evaluation, should be interpreted considering normal physiological variability.