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European Radiology

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01-09-2014 | Breast

Fat saturation in dynamic breast MRI at 3 Tesla: is the Dixon technique superior to spectral fat saturation? A visual grading characteristics study

Authors: P. Clauser, K. Pinker, T. H. Helbich, P. Kapetas, M. Bernathova, P. A. T. Baltzer

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 9/2014

Abstract

Purpose

To intra-individually compare the diagnostic image quality of Dixon and spectral fat suppression at 3 T.

Methods

Fifty consecutive patients (mean age 55.1 years) undergoing 3 T breast MRI were recruited for this prospective study. The image protocol included pre-contrast and delayed post-contrast spectral and Dixon fat-suppressed T1w series. Two independent blinded readers compared spectral and Dixon fat-suppressed series by evaluating six ordinal (1 worst to 5 best) image quality criteria (image quality, delineation of anatomical structures, fat suppression in the breast and axilla, lesion delineation and internal enhancement). Breast density and size were assessed. Data analysis included Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and visual grading characteristics (VGC) analysis.

Results

Four examinations were excluded; 48 examinations in 46 patients were evaluated. In VGC analysis, the Dixon technique was superior regarding image quality criteria analysed (P < 0.01). Smaller breast size and lower breast density were significantly (P < 0.01) correlated with impaired spectral fat suppression quality. No such correlation was identified for the Dixon technique, which showed reconstruction-based water-fat mixups leading to insufficient image quality in 20.8 %.

Conclusions

The Dixon technique outperformed spectral fat suppression in all evaluated criteria (P < 0.01). Non-diagnostic examinations can be avoided by fat and water image reconstruction. The superior image quality of the Dixon technique can improve breast MRI interpretation.

Key Points

• Optimal fat suppression quality is necessary for optimal image interpretation

• Superior fat suppression quality is achieved using the Dixon technique

• Lesion margin and internal enhancement evaluation improves using the Dixon technique

• Superior image quality of the Dixon technique improves breast MRI interpretation

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Title: Fat saturation in dynamic breast MRI at 3 Tesla: is the Dixon technique superior to spectral fat saturation? A visual grading characteristics study
Authors: P. Clauser
K. Pinker
T. H. Helbich
P. Kapetas
M. Bernathova
P. A. T. Baltzer
Publication date: 01-09-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 9/2014
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-014-3189-7

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Fat saturation in dynamic breast MRI at 3 Tesla: is the Dixon technique superior to spectral fat saturation? A visual grading characteristics study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

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