Takeaways from Pre-Contrast T1 and T2 Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Women with Recently Diagnosed Breast Cancer

Background Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE - MRI) has been widely used in the management of breast cancer, and its diagnostic value in breast imaging has been demonstrated. There have only been a few reports regarding the usefulness of pre-contrast imaging. Knowledge about clinically significant findings of preoperative, pre-contrast T1 and T2 MR images will allow more accurate decisions regarding patient treatment and management. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinically significant findings of preoperative, pre-contrast T1 and T2 MR images in recently diagnosed breast cancer patients. Patients and Methods We analyzed 390 preoperative 3-T MRIs of recently diagnosed breast cancer patients in whom the diagnosis was confirmed by a core needle biopsy. Results MRI findings that were correlated with post-core needle-biopsy changes were observed in 27.9% of the pre-contrast T1 and T2 MRIs (n = 109/390). Two of 35 cases that had a subareolar ductal high signal area on the pre-contrast T1 were confirmed by surgery as having nipple-areolar complex involvement. Conclusion A subareolar ductal high signal area on a pre-contrast T1 MRI must be carefully assessed in combination with dynamic, contrast-enhanced images for proper surgical management.