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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
Tracking the Mammary Architectural Features and Detecting Breast Cancer with Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Published on: December 15, 2014
Diffusion-weighted imaging in breast lesion evaluation
P Belli1, M Costantini, E Bufi
1Department of Bio-Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. pbelli@rm.unicatt.it
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in the detection and characterisation of breast lesions.
Materials And Methods:
From September 2005 to September 2007, 86 patients with breast lesions who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in our department were included in our study. MRI was performed with a 1.5-T unit using a standard protocol including DWI sequence. For each breast lesion, the ADC value was calculated and compared with that of normal breast tissue and to the definitive pathological diagnosis. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis.
Results:
A total of 126 breast lesions were detected. Pathology results revealed 100 malignant and 26 benign lesions. Mean diameter of lesions was 26.02 mm (range 4-90 mm), including 52 lesions
Conclusions:
DWI provides reliable information to support MRI diagnosis of breast masses. ADC value appears a promising adjunctive parameter in distinguishing malignant from benign breast lesions.
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