[Contrast media in MR mammography]

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background:

• Standardized diagnostic evaluations in MR-mammography are crucial for consistent results across different institutions and imaging sequences.
• The relationship between contrast media concentration and normalized signal intensity needs to be well-defined for accurate MR-mammography interpretation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the dynamic range of the MR-compatible contrast medium Magnevist across various MRI sequences and machines.
• To establish a standardized approach for MR-mammography evaluations by assessing the performance of different imaging parameters.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a phantom with MR-compatible glass tubes containing varying concentrations of Magnevist in a water bath.
• Performed measurements using breast coils and normalized signal intensity to a water reference (water = 1).
• Compared normalized dynamic curves against a defined "Standard-Curve" and assessed inter-machine variability.

Main Results:

• Evaluated the dynamic range of Magnevist across different MRI sequences and machines.
• Identified variations in dynamic curves between machines, necessitating an assessment of their relationship to the "Standard-Curve".
• Included in-vivo measurements with a female student to ensure image quality for all sequences.

Conclusions:

• Established a method for comparing dynamic measurements of breast lesions obtained from different MRI machines and sequences.
• Aimed to enable radiologists to compare their dynamic measurements with a standardized reference, enhancing diagnostic consistency.