1H MR Spectroscopy and Diffusion-Weighted Imaging of the Breast: Are They Useful Tools for Characterizing Breast Lesions Before Biopsy?

1H MR Spectroscopy and Diffusion-Weighted Imaging of the Breast: Are They Useful Tools for Characterizing Breast Lesions Before Biopsy?
Mitsuhiro Tozaki and Eisuke Fukuma
AJR 2009;193:840-849
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The results of an in-vivo study using a 1.5-T MRI unit suggested that careful referencing and optimizing post-acquisition data processing improved the spectral resolution, allowing the few false-positive cases (including lactating women and healthy volunteers) to be distinguished by resonance at 3.28 ppm

1H MRS was useful for characterizing breast lesions measuring 15 mm or larger, and diffusion-weighted imaging was useful for characterizing lesions of any size. However, these two techniques still have potential pitfalls in relation to the diagnosis of non-mass breast lesions