Role of diffusion weighted imaging and dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in breast tumors

PurposeTo evaluate the role of diffusion weighted imaging and dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in characterization of breast tumors and comparing the results with the histological finding.Patients and methodsFrom January 2011 to January 2015, 71 patients with 74 suspicious breast lesions had performed breast DCE-MRI combined with DWI and the results were compared with the histopathological examination which was used as the standard diagnostic method.ResultsThe study included 71 patients with 74 suspicious breast lesions, there were 38 benign lesions ((51.35%) and 36 malignant lesions (48.65%)).DCE-MRI proved to have a sensitivity of 91.7%, and a specificity of 84.2%. ADC cutoff value to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions was 1.32 × 103 mm2/s (P < 0.001). The diffusion weighted MRI proved to have a sensitivity of 94.4%, and a specificity of 92.1%.The combined MRI protocol of DCEMRI and DWI proved to increase the sensitivity and specificity of breast MRI.ConclusionDWI had a higher sensitivity and specificity than DCE-MRI. The combined MRI protocol of DCEMRI and DWI proved to increase sensitivity and specificity of MRI in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of breast lesions.