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[Breast MRI: Artefacts and pitfalls]
1Service de radiologie, hôpital Tenon, AP-HP, 4, rue de la Chine, 75020 Paris, France. christine.salem@hotmail.com
Abstract:
Multiple artefacts and pitfalls may occur with breast MRI. Artefacts are secondary to the MR technique itself while pitfalls often are the result of human error. The most common artefacts include motion, pulsation, chemical shift and magnetic susceptibility. The most common pitfalls include improper contrast injection, poor patient positioning, improper placement of the ROI and improper characterization of physiological and iatrogenic contrast enhancement. The identification of these artefacts and pitfalls on breast MR images may reduce their impact or even eliminate them. The use of optimized protocols is necessary. It is important to explain to patients the sequence of the examination, ensure proper placement of the breasts in the coil and optimize the contrast injection. The ROI should always be placed over the most suspicious region of the lesion. Finally, it is recommended to perform the MRI during the second week of the menstrual cycle and to discontinue the use of HRT 2 months prior to scanning when possible.
Insights
Understanding breast MRI artifacts and pitfalls is crucial for accurate diagnosis. Identifying and mitigating these common issues, such as motion and improper contrast, improves imaging quality and patient care.
Area of Science:
- Radiology and Medical Imaging
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Techniques
Context:
- Breast MRI is a valuable tool for detecting and characterizing breast lesions.
- Image quality can be compromised by artifacts and diagnostic pitfalls.
- These issues can arise from the MRI technique or human error.
Purpose:
- To identify common artifacts and pitfalls encountered in breast MRI.
- To provide strategies for minimizing or eliminating their impact on image interpretation.
Summary:
- Common artifacts include motion, pulsation, chemical shift, and magnetic susceptibility.
- Frequent pitfalls involve improper contrast injection, patient positioning, ROI placement, and enhancement characterization.
- Optimized protocols, patient education, and correct technique are essential for high-quality breast MRI.
Impact:
- Accurate identification and management of artifacts and pitfalls enhance diagnostic confidence.
- Improved image quality leads to more reliable detection and characterization of breast abnormalities.
- Adherence to optimized protocols and best practices reduces misinterpretations and improves patient outcomes.
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