Keywords:
Haemodynamics / Flow dynamics, Normal variants, Contrast agent-intravenous, MR, Breast
Authors:
K. Hegenscheid1, C. O. Schmidt1, R. Seipel1, R. Ohlinger1, R. Laqua1, J.-P. Kühn1, N. Hosten1, R. Puls2; 1Greifswald/DE, 2Insel Riems/DE
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2012/C-0642
Conclusion
This prospective population-based study assessed contrast enhancement (CE) kinetics of normal breast parenchyma based on the analysis of 345 MRM datasets of healthy women from a general population cohort.
Our results indicate that:
- T1 baseline signal intensity (BSI) and CE of healthy breast parenchyma varied considerably across individuals from a population-based cohort.
- Body weight and age were significant predictors of BSI,
while body weight and menopausal status were significant predictors of CE kinetics.
- Calculation of contrast medium dose on the basis of total body weight resulted in an increased CE with rising body weight.
- CE of normal breast parenchyma is approximately 30% higher in premenopausal than in postmenopausal women.
- Oral contraceptives (OC) in premenopausal women are associated with a significantly lower CE,
while hormone therapy (HT) in postmenopausal women has negligible effects.
Therefore we conclude that:
- When analyzing dynamic contrast kinetics curves of breast mass and non-mass lesions the impact of patient-related factors,
especially menopausal status and body weight,
on contrast enhancement should be considered precisely.
- Determining contrast medium dose for breast MR imaging on the basis of total body weight should be reconsidered.
- Discontinuation of postmenopausal hormone therapy or oral contraceptives prior to MRM does not seem to be necessary.