Initial experience with 3T breast MRI in Ukraine

Aim: To assess the initial results of using 3 Tesla contrast-enhanced breast magnetic resonance imaging in Ukraine.

Materials and Methods: Our study included 498 diagnostic breast magnetic resonance imaging performed in Neuromed medical center in Kyiv, between March 2020 and December 2022. Patients were positioned prone, with breasts suspended in a dedicated 7-channel bilateral breast coil. MR-images were acquired with the PHILIPS Achieva 3.0Tesla x-series scanner. All studies were made by standard protocol: localizer, morphological and dynamic studies were performed.

Results: Our study revealed a statistically significant increase in problem-solving contrast-enhanced breast magnetic resonance examinations compared to other indications. Additionally, we observed a higher incidence of women with a greater amount of fibroglandular tissue (p-value<0.05).

Conclusions: The utilization of 3Tesla contrast-enhanced breast magnetic resonance imaging has become prevalent in Ukraine as a problem-solving tool for inconclusive findings in ultrasound (US) or/and mammography (MG). It is particularly useful in preoperative local breast cancer staging for women with a significant amount of fibroglandular breast tissue. However, the implementation of breast magnetic resonance imaging in Ukraine is in its nascent stages and requires further investigation, especially in middle-income country settings.