ECR 2015 / C-1941
Pre-operative Diffusion-weighted Imaging (DWI) and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) ratio in assessment of axillary lymph node status in patients with breast cancer: personal experience and literature review.
This poster is published under an
open license. Please read the
disclaimer for further details.
Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Breast, MR-Functional imaging, MR, Ultrasound, Diagnostic procedure, Cancer
Authors:
I. Bednarova, S. Bednarova, A. Linda, V. Londero, C. Zuiani, M. Bazzocchi; Udine/IT
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2015/C-1941
Learning objectives
The DWI and ADC in pre-operative breast MRI might represent a valid diagnostic tool for differentiation of benign from metastatic axillary lymph nodes in patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer.
- Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women throughout the world and its incidence continues to increase.
- The presence of axillary lymph node metastases in patients with breast cancer helps determine surgical and postsurgical management and remains the most important prognostic factor.
- The non-invasive differentiation between benign and malignant lymph nodes remains challenging; as a consequence the final diagnose of the metastatic nodes is currently based on pathologic analysis of tissue biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection,
both of which are invasive procedures.
- The combination of DWI and ADC ratio seems to represent a promising and readily available non-invasive method in the differential diagnosis between metastatic and benign axillary lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer.