Breast Density Assessment Using a 3T MRI System: Comparison among Different Sequences

PURPOSE To compare MRI sequences for breast density measurements on a 3T MRI system using IDEAL (Iterative Decomposition of water and fat with Echo Asymmetry and Least squares estimation) as possible physiology-like reference. MATERIALS AND METHODS MRI examination was performed in 48 consecutive patients (mean age 41, years; range, 35-67 years) on a 3.0T scanner and 46 were included. All (fertile) women, were examined between days 5 and 15 of their menstrual cycle. MRI protocol included: T1-turbo spin-echo (T1-tSE), T2-turbo spin-echo (T2-tSE), VIBRANT (Volume Imaging for Breast Assessment) before and after injection of contrast media and IDEAL. Breast density was calculated with semi-automated software. Statistical analysis was performed with non-parametric tests. RESULTS Mean percentage of breast density calculated in each sequence was: T1-tSE = 56%; T2-tSE  = 52%; IDEAL FatOnly  = 55%; IDEAL WaterOnly  = 53%, VIBRANT = 55%. Significant differences were observed between T2-tSE and both T1-tSE (p<0.001), VIBRANT sequences (p = 0.009), T1-tSE and both IDEAL WaterOnly (p = 0.007) and IDEAL FatOnly (p = 0.047). Breast density percentage showed a positive linear correlation among different sequences: r ≥ 0.93. CONCLUSIONS Differences exist between MRI sequences used to assess breast density percentage. T1-weighted sequences values were similar to IDEAL sequences.