Microstructural Characterization of Breast Lesion Subtypes Using Time-Dependent Diffusion MRI: A Multicenter Study.

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Biomedical Imaging
• Oncology

Background:

• Accurate breast lesion characterization is crucial for appropriate patient management.
• Conventional MRI has limitations in differentiating certain breast lesion subtypes.
• Novel diffusion MRI techniques offer potential for improved diagnostic accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the diagnostic performance of microstructural parameters from time-dependent diffusion MRI (Td-dMRI) using oscillating gradient spin-echo (OGSE).
• To evaluate the ability of Td-dMRI parameters to differentiate between benign and malignant breast lesions.
• To explore the utility of these parameters in distinguishing benign lesions from carcinoma in situ.

Main Methods:

• Patients with breast lesions underwent conventional and Td-dMRI (OGSE).
• The IMPULSED model was used to extract microstructural parameters.
• Area under the ROC curve and logistic regression analyses were employed for diagnostic performance evaluation.

Main Results:

• Microstructural parameters, including cell density, were significantly associated with lesion differentiation.
• Higher Vin and lower ADC_OGSEN1 independently predicted malignant lesions (AUC = 0.86).
• Significant differences in cell density, Vin, and ADC_PGSE were found between benign lesions and carcinoma in situ.

Conclusions:

• Td-dMRI with OGSE technology demonstrates potential for differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions.
• Derived microstructural parameters may aid in distinguishing benign lesions from carcinoma in situ.
• This advanced MRI technique could enhance breast lesion diagnosis.