Role of dynamic contrast enhanced MRI in evaluation of post-operative breast lesions

PurposeTo evaluate the role of dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in differentiation between benign postoperative changes and recurrent malignant tumor.Patients & methodsThis study was performed during the time from August 2014 till August 2015. Enrolled in this study were 50 female patients and all of them were breast cancer patients that had been candidates for breast conserving surgery, modified radical mastectomy and reconstructive surgery using autologous tissue reconstruction; DCE-MRI was done for all patients.ResultsIn this study, 12 patients (24%) were with recurrent malignant tumor, 7 patients (14%) with postoperative fat necrosis, 10 patients (20%) with postoperative seroma, 10 patients (20%) with diffuse skin thickening and edema, and 6 patients (12%) with postoperative scar tissue; the remaining 5 patients (10%) were normal. Dynamic contrast enhanced MRI has sensitivity of 85.7%, specificity of 100%, PPV of 100%, NPV of 93.3% and accuracy of 95.6% in differentiation between benign postoperative changes and recurrent malignant tumors.