Preventing Unnecessary Breast Biopsies Using MRI

The results of a new study have shown that a new Magnetic Resonance (MR) breast imaging technique could prevent unnecessary biopsies.

The new technique, called Diffusion-Weighted Imaging with Background Suppression Magnetic Resonance Mammography (DWIBS-MRM), can be used to assess the diffusion of water molecules within tissue. Diffusion could be restricted by malignant tumors for example. The results of the study were published in the online version of the journal Radiology.

DWIBS-MRM could be used to provide additional information for clinicians about suspicious findings discovered during X-Ray mammography screening. Conventional X-Ray mammography in itself can save lives, but often results in a high false-positive rate that leads to unnecessary biopsies.

DWIBS-MRM uses an abbreviated MR breast imaging protocol, and does not require the use of a contrast agent. The protocol shows the shape, and appearance of the lesion, and its biophysiological properties. A full breast MR protocol takes more than 30 minutes, while DWIBS-MRM images take less than 7 minutes, with a mean reading time of less than 30 seconds.

The study included 50 women with suspicious screening mammograms, and an indication for biopsy. The researchers compared a full diagnostic breast MR protocol, abbreviated contrast-enhanced MRI, and the new DWIBS-MRM technique. A breast carcinoma was found in 24 women.

The DWIBS-MRM technique was found to be as accurate as abbreviated contrast-enhanced and full diagnostic MRI protocols and resulted in a negative predictive value of 92%. However none of the MR techniques were able to detect pure microcalcification-related Ductal Carcinoma In-Situ (DCIS), without solid tumor.

Lead author of the study, Sebastian Bickelhaupt, MD, radiologist, German Cancer Research Center (Heidelberg, Germany), said, “If the preliminary findings are confirmed, this approach could have a high potential to be used as an adjunct in the clarification process of unclear lesions on X-Ray mammography in breast cancer screening. This might help to reduce the number of invasive biopsies and the related anxiety in women who have suspicious findings at mammography.”

Related Links:
Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
German Cancer Research Center