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Correlation of contrast agent kinetics between iodinated contrast-enhanced spectral tomosynthesis and gadolinium-enhanced MRI of breast lesions

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Abstract

Objectives

Assessment of contrast agent kinetics in contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) with gadolinium-containing contrast agents offers the opportunity to predict breast lesion malignancy. The goal of our study was to determine if similar patterns exist for spectral contrast-enhanced digital breast tomosynthesis (CE-DBT) using an iodinated contrast agent.

Methods

The protocol of our prospective study was approved by the relevant institutional review board and the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection. All patients provided written informed consent. We included 21 women with a mean age of 62.4 years. All underwent ultrasound-guided biopsy of a suspect breast lesion, spectral CE-DBT and CE-MRI. For every breast lesion, contrast agent kinetics was assessed by signal intensity–time curves for spectral CE-DBT and CE-MRI. Statistical comparison used Cohen’s kappa and Spearman’s rho test.

Results

Spearman’s rho of 0.49 showed significant (P = 0.036) correlation regarding the contrast agent kinetics in signal intensity–time curves for spectral CE-DBT and CE-MRI. Cohen’s kappa indicated moderate agreement (kappa = 0.438).

Conclusion

There is a statistically significant correlation between contrast agent kinetics in the signal intensity–time curves for spectral CE-DBT and CE-MRI. Observing intralesional contrast agent kinetics in spectral CE-DBT may aid evaluation of malignant breast lesions.

Key Points

• Contrast agent kinetics can be assessed using spectral digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT).

• Contrast agent kinetics patterns in spectral DBT are similar to those in contrast-enhanced MRI.

• Multiple contrast enhancement for spectral DBT gives additional diagnostic information.

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Abbreviations

CE-DBT:

contrast-enhanced DBT

CE-MRI:

contrast-enhanced breast magnetic resonance imaging

DBT:

digital breast tomosynthesis

DM:

digital mammography

ROI:

region of interest

LE:

low energy

LT:

total energy

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Acknowledgments

This pilot study is part and supported by the HighReX project, funded by the European Union. We acknowledge the members of the HighReX project for their contributions and assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13553, Berlin, Germany

    Vera Froeling, Felix Diekmann, Diane M. Renz, Eva M. Fallenberg, Ingo G. Steffen, Susanne Diekmann & Florian F. Schmitzberger

  2. Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Rüdiger Lawaczeck

Authors
  1. Vera Froeling
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  2. Felix Diekmann
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  3. Diane M. Renz
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  4. Eva M. Fallenberg
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  5. Ingo G. Steffen
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  6. Susanne Diekmann
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  7. Rüdiger Lawaczeck
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  8. Florian F. Schmitzberger
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Florian F. Schmitzberger.

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Froeling, V., Diekmann, F., Renz, D.M. et al. Correlation of contrast agent kinetics between iodinated contrast-enhanced spectral tomosynthesis and gadolinium-enhanced MRI of breast lesions. Eur Radiol 23, 1528–1536 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-012-2742-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-012-2742-5

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