[Role of MRI in pre-clinical breast lesions. Preliminary results]

The purpose of this study is to assess the value of MR imaging in nonpalpable breast tumors. Thirty-two women whose mammogram showed opacity, architectural distorsionor microcalcifications, underwent preoperative dynamic MR studies with quantitative evaluation of contrast enhancement. MR showed early contrast enhancement in 10/12 breast cancers (2 false-negative) and in 6/20 benign lesions (false-positive). Quantitative study of contrast enhancement does not allow clear differentiation between these lesions. Further studies are required to confirm these findings and purpose MR imaging for aid in detection of carcinomas. Multifocal sudden enhancements are possible in benign lesions and incite to limit MR to focal mammographic abnormalities.