Vascularity assessment of breast lesions with gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging

Abstract

Gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging of the breast can be used to characterize both tumor morphology and vascularity. An empirical three-point method using high resolution three-dimensional MR imaging that combines high spatial resolution with an estimate of tumor pharmacokinetics is described. This technique appears to improve diagnostic specificity of breast MR imaging and may provide a noninvasive method of tumor characterization of prognostic value.