Correlation of high-resolution breast MR imaging with histopathology; Validation of a technique

A high-resolution three-dimensional surface gradient coil set was used to obtain magnetic resonance (MR) images of breast specimens, using a gradient-echo pulse sequence (TR/TE 1000/8 msec, flip angle 75 degrees), with 117 mum in-plane resolution and I mm slice thickness. Breast tissues were obtained from one autopsy and three surgical specimens. High-resolution breast MR images and histopathology sections (7 mum thickness) were acquired in the same anatomical plane. Radiographs were acquired of the sliced specimens (approximately 5 mm thick) so that images from all three methods could be correlated. It was found that in vitro high-resolution breast MRI correlated well with low-resolution microscopic histology, demonstrating normal anatomy (lobules, ducts, connective tissue strands, blood vessels) and pathology (tumor content, margins, and presence of microcalcifications) of the breast more clearly than conventional pre-gadolinium breast MRI. High-resolution breast MRI may improve specificity, when added to a coventional breast MRI protocol. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2000; 11:601-606. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.