Learning objectives
Torecognize different lesions that can be found outside the breastwhen performing abreast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI),
and to be familiar with their appearance in various pulse sequences.
To understand the potential information that can be extracted from breast MRI in addition to the branch concerned with breast disease.
Background
Breast MRI has become an important tool in breast imaging with multiple diagnostic indications.
It plays a key role in decision making of breast cancer treatment.
For these and other reasons it is a diagnostic test performed with increasing frequency in a growing number of Centers all around the world.
However,
not only the breast is scanned when performing a breast MRI.
There are other body parts that are visible in this exploration and that may reveal benign or malignant findings,
some of them with...
Imaging findings OR Procedure details
The extra-mammary structures generally visible in breast MRI include the liver,
spleen,
lungs,
mediastinum,
chest bones and thoracic soft tissues.
Some authors have report a frequency for additional findings in these structures on breast MRI of more than 80% of cases.
Thesefindings range from normal variants to severe disease that can affect the patients´ treatment.
Therefore,
the structures adjacent to the breasts should be checked carefully when reporting breast MRI.
All the extra-mammary findings detected in breast MRI in our center have been recorded prospectively...
Conclusion
There are some benign and malignant conditions in sites other than the breast that can be encountered when performing a breast MRI.
Because of their frequency and potential clinical importance they must be recognized by radiologists and included in radiological reports.
References
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Prevalence and type of incidental extramammary findings in MRI of the breast.
Rofo.
2003 Feb;175(2):199-202
Rausch DR.
Spectrum of extra-mammary findings on breast MRI: a pictorial review.Breast J.
2008 Nov-Dec;14(6):592-4.
Ojeda-Fournier,
H et al.
Recognizing and
Interpreting Artifacts and Pitfalls in MR Imaging of the Breast Radiographics 2007 Oct; 27:147-164.
Kalli S,
et al.
Lesions of the Skin
and Superficial Tissue at Breast MR Imaging.
Radiographics 2010 Nov; 30:1891-1913
Mihara F,
et al.
Peripheral findings in MR using surface coil.
Comput...