Preparation and Evaluation of a Calcification Phantom for Mammary Gland MRI

Purpose  Microcalcification detection is vital for early breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survival; however, no MRI phantom currently exists for parameter optimization. Therefore, this study aims to develop a breast MRI phantom that simulates calcifications. Methods  A gelatin-sucrose mixture was prepared, with calcification samples placed on the same plane. MRI using multiple sequences and mammography were performed. Depiction ability was assessed based on contrast, visual evaluation, and statistical analysis. Results  Among the 0.75-mm samples, eggshell and glass beads showed similar contrast on X-ray and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). While calcifications ≥0.50 mm were identifiable on X-rays, 0.75-mm calcifications were visible on susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), and QSM. Scores obtained for eggshell on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI)/T2WI, chicken bone on T1WI/T2WI, and glass beads on SWI were significantly lower than those obtained on X-ray. Conclusion A microcalcification phantom enabling X-ray-MRI comparison was developed and validated as useful for MRI-based evaluation of calcifications.