Open AccessDiffusion-weighted imaging of the breast: current status as an imaging biomarker and future role
Author(s) -
Julia Camps Herrero
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
bjr|open
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2513-9878
DOI - 10.1259/bjro.20180049
Subject(s) - proof of concept , diffusion mri , computer science , radiomics , breast mri , contrast (vision) , dynamic contrast , sequence (biology) , biomarker , medicine , medical physics , magnetic resonance imaging , radiology , artificial intelligence , breast cancer , mammography , biochemistry , chemistry , genetics , cancer , biology , operating system
Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the breast is a MRI sequence that shows several advantages when compared to the dynamic contrast-enhanced sequence: it does not need intravenous contrast, it is relatively quick and easy to implement (artifacts notwithstanding). In this review, the current applications of DWI for lesion characterization and prognosis as well as for response evaluation are analyzed from the point of view of the necessary steps to become a useful surrogate of underlying biological processes (tissue architecture and cellularity): from the proof of concept, to the proof of mechanism, the proof of principle and finally the proof of effectiveness. Future applications of DWI in screening, DWI modeling and radiomics are also discussed.