Radiology, Vol 168, 49-58, Copyright © 1988 by Radiological Society of North America
Carcinoma of the breast: detection with MR imaging versus xeromammography
DA Turner, FS Alcorn, WD Shorey, CB Stelling, VC Mategrano, CW Merten, B Silver, SG Economou, AK Straus and TR Witt
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Rush-Presbyterian-St Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612.
Detectability of breast cancer with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging versus
xeromammography was quantitatively compared. MR images were obtained of
breasts of 120 women who underwent xeromammography. T1 values were
determined for masses larger than 2 cm. Cancer was histologically confirmed
in 39 breasts and was considered excluded from 81 due to results of biopsy,
cyst aspiration, or sonography or absence of change in xeromammographic
findings over time. Images were blindly interpreted by three observers, and
results were expressed as receiver operating characteristic curves.
Detectability of breast cancer was substantially better with
xeromammography than with MR imaging for all observers (P less than .03,
10(-6), and .001). On MR images, spiculation of a mass, distorted
architecture, skin thickening, and nipple or skin retraction were specific
but relatively insensitive indicators of cancer. Masses with smooth,
distinct margins and signal intensity greater than that of fat on
T2-weighted images were always benign. Other findings and T1 values were
not diagnostically useful. The authors conclude that xeromammography is
superior to MR imaging in detection of breast cancer.
