Related Experiment Videos
[Comparison of methods for quantifying contrast enhancement exemplified by dynamic MRI mammography]
M V Knopp1, N Himmelhan, J Radeleff
1National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Abteilung Diagnostische Radiologie, Bethesda, MD, USA. Knopp-1@medctr.osu.edu
Aim:
Aim of this study was to demonstrate and compare different quantification techniques to assess contrast enhancement in dynamic MRI studies. The diagnostic potential of dynamic MRI studies is increasingly appreciated and already used in different organ systems.
Method:
A patient population of 314 histologically verified breast lesions (138 malignant, 176 benign) were evaluated using a high temporal resolved dynamic sequence. Different quantification techniques such as the use of a cutoff line, time dependent and pharmacokinetic assessment were comparatively evaluated.
Results:
Time dependent quantification methods revealed higher diagnostic potential which was further improved by in vivo normalization of the contrast availability in the vascular system. Significant differences in the enhancement characteristics were determined between malignant and benign as well within the different histological entities.
Conclusion:
Time dependent quantification methods enable an angiogenic characterization of lesions to improve diagnostic interpretation as well as monitoring during therapy. They are also the basis for automated, color-coded visualization of dynamic studies.