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Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Viscoelastic Characterization of Soft Tissue-Mimicking Gelatin Phantoms using Indentation and Magnetic Resonance Elastography
Published on: May 10, 2022
Magnetic resonance elastography of the breast: correlation of signal intensity data with viscoelastic properties
Tanja Xydeas1, Katja Siegmann, Ralph Sinkus
1Department of Radiology, University Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany. tanja.xydeas@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Objectives:
We sought to investigate the potential value of magnetic resonance (MR) elastography to improve the differentiation between benign and malignant tumors.
Material And Methods:
Measurements of 5 patients with 6 malignant lesions, 11 patients with benign lesions, and 4 patients with no lesions at all were performed at 1.5 Tesla. After breast MR imaging, MR elastography was performed as a targeted measurement. Low-frequency mechanical waves (65 Hz) were transmitted into the breast tissue using an oscillator and were displayed by means of a MR sequence within the phase of the MR image. After reconstruction, the viscoelastic information was correlated with the signal intensity and morphology data.
Results:
All examinations were technically successful realized in approximately 25 minutes. Malignant tumors documented higher values of elasticity than benign corresponding with signal intensity and morphologic data.
Conclusion:
A good separation exists between benign and malignant lesions in elasticity, corresponding with specific signal intensity and morphologic data. Further clinical studies with a larger number of patients are needed for extended validation.
