• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.511-517
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• 2024

Objective: To prospectively investigate the influence of the menstrual cycle on the background parenchymal signal (BPS) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the breast on diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) in healthy premenopausal women. Materials and Methods: Seven healthy premenopausal women (median age, 37 years; range, 33-49 years) with regular menstrual cycles participated in this study. DW-MRI was performed during each of the four phases of the menstrual cycle (four examinations in total). Three radiologists independently assessed the BPS visual grade on images with b-values of 800 sec/mm² (b800), 1200 sec/mm² (b1200), and a synthetic 1500 sec/mm² (sb1500). Additionally, one radiologist conducted a quantitative analysis to measure the BPS volume (%) and ADC values of the BPS (ADC_BPS) and fibroglandular tissue (ADC_FGT). Changes in the visual grade, BPS volume (%), ADC_BPS, and ADC_FGT during the menstrual cycle were descriptively analyzed. Results: The visual grade of BPS in seven women varied from mild to marked on b800 and from minimal to moderate on b1200 and sb1500. As the b-value increased, the visual grade of BPS decreased. On b800 and sb1500, two of the seven volunteers showed the highest visual grade in the early follicular phase (EFP). On b1200, three of the seven volunteers showed the highest visual grades in EFP. The BPS volume (%) on b800 and b1200 showed the highest value in three of the six volunteers with dense breasts in EFP. Three of the seven volunteers showed the lowest ADC_BPS in the EFP. Four of the seven volunteers showed the highest ADC_BPS in the early luteal phase (ELP) and the lowest ADC_FGT in the late follicular phase (LFP). Conclusion: Most volunteers did not exhibit specific BPS patterns during their menstrual cycles. However, the highest BPS and lowest ADC_BPS were more frequently observed in EFP than in the other menstrual cycle phases, whereas the highest ADC_BPS was more common in ELP. The lowest ADC_FGT was more frequent in LFP.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.563-569
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• 2020

Oncoplastic surgery (OPS) combines oncologically safe tumor resection with aesthetically satisfying reconstruction of defects using established plastic surgery techniques. OPS is characterized by initial excision as extensive as is beneficial for oncological safety, and, once sufficient resection is complete, displacement or replacement techniques are selected based on remnant volume. The size of the lesion and the individual patient are important factors when considering the appropriate approach, and when pre-operative imaging, including MRI, is used to determine the technique, the complete removal of cancer cells by permanent pathology is essential. A frozen section is used during the operation to reduce the reoperation rate, but it is difficult to cover the entire margin surface theoretically and even harder in practice. A recent report about adequate margins has empowered OPS in its oncological safety. Considering the patients to whom each modality could be applied, basic breast volume is an important factor, and this is influenced by ethnic differences. In Europe or the US, for example, the average breast size is 36D (600 ㎤) and reduction mammoplasty is predominantly used. However, the average size of patients in our institution is 33A (300 ㎤), and so quite different approaches are selected in most cases. New techniques involving radiofrequency and fluorescence have been proposed as safe and easily accessible ways of reducing complications.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.4
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• pp.952-957
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• 2023

Myxoid liposarcoma is an extremely rare malignant breast tumor. We report the case of a 44-year-old woman who had myxoid liposarcoma of the breast with a history of phyllodes tumor and describe the imaging findings on US, mammography, and MRI. Before surgery, the mass was considered to be a recurrent phyllodes tumor. However, using US, we retrospectively identified some differences between myxoid liposarcomas and phyllodes tumors.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.623-633
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• 2024

This study systematically reviewed the role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the assessment of molecular prognostic biomarkers in breast cancer, focusing on the correlation of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) with hormone receptor status and prognostic biomarkers. Our meta-analysis includes data from 52 studies examining ADC values in relation to estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and Ki-67 status. The results indicated significant differences in ADC values among different receptor statuses, with ER-positive, PgR-positive, HER2-negative, and Ki-67-positive tumors having lower ADC values compared to their negative counterparts. This study also highlights the potential of advanced DWI techniques such as intravoxel incoherent motion and non-Gaussian DWI to provide additional insights beyond ADC. Despite these promising findings, the high heterogeneity among the studies underscores the need for standardized DWI protocols to improve their clinical utility in breast cancer management.

• Journal of Digital Contents Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.157-164
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of 3D reconstruction images in breast MRI by performing a quantitative comparative analysis in patients diagnosed with DCIS. On a 3.0T MR scanner, subtraction images and 3D reconstruction images were obtained from 20 patients histologically diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The findings from the quantitative image analysis are the following: The 3D reconstruction images showed higher SNR at the lesion area, ductal area, and fat area that of the subtraction image. In addition, the CNR were not significantly different in the lesion area itself between the subtraction images and 3D reconstruction images.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.12
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• pp.3654-3658
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• 2013

The synthesis of a DO3A conjugate of [(p-aniline benzothiazole)methyl]pyridine ($L^2H_3$) and its gadolinium complex of the type [$Gd(L^2)(H_2O)$] ($GdL^2$) is described. The $R_1$ relaxivity ($=4.50mM^{-1}sec^{-1}$) and kinetic inertness of $GdL^2$ compares well with those of structurally analogous Dotarem$^{(R)}$ ($R_1=3.70mM^{-1}sec^{-1}$), a typical extracellular (ECF) MRI contrast agent (CA). Yet, by comparison with Dotarem$^{(R)}$, $GdL^2$ exhibits non-covalent interactions with human serum albumin (HSA) as evidenced by the ${\varepsilon}^*$ titration curve along with in vivo MR signal enhancement in both aorta and heart. Liver-specific nature of $GdL^2$ is also observed as excretion is made through gallbladder. Most notably, $GdL^2$ further demonstrates specificity toward the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.130-136
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• 2015

We evaluate the influence of MR contrast agent on positron emission tomography (PET) image using phantom, animal and human studies. Phantom consisted of 15 solutions with the mixture of various concentrations of Gd-based MR contrast agent and fixed activity of [$^{18}F$]FDG. Animal study was performed using rabbit and two kinds of MR contrast agents. After injecting contrast agent, CT or MRI scanning was performed at 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 minutes. PET image was obtained using clinical PET/CT scan, and attenuation correction was performed using the all CT images. The values of HU, PET activity and MRI intensity were obtained from ROIs in each phantom and organ regions. In clinical study, patients (n=20) with breast cancer underwent sequential acquisitions of early [$^{18}F$]FDG PET/CT, MRI and delayed PET/CT. In phantom study, as the concentration increased, the CT attenuation and PET activity also increased. However, there was no relationship between the PET activity and the concentration in the clinical dose range of contrast agent. In animal study, change of PET activity was not significant at all time point of CT scan both MR contrast agents. There was no significant change of HU between early and delayed CT, except for kidney. Early and delayed SUV in tumor and liver showed significant increase and decrease, respectively (P<0.05). Under the condition of most clinical study (< 0.2 mM), MR contrast agent did not influence on PET image quantitation.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2010

Purpose : To examine the imaging findings of mucinous breast carcinoma and to evaluate the difference in these findings based on the histopathologic grade. Materials and Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the imaging features according to BI-RADS in 29 patients with surgically proven mucinous carcinoma. The histopathologic grade was classified as well-differentiated, moderately-differentiated and poorly-differentiated. Based on these criteria, the differences in imaging findings were statistically analyzed. Results : Mammography was available in 20 cases, which contained 17 mass lesions (85%) and 3 cases of normal findings. On ultrasonography (27 cases), mucinous carcinoma was observed as a mass with an oval shape (59.3%), a microlobulated margin (55.6%) or an inhomogeneous isoechogenicity (74.1%). On MRI (21 cases), mucinous carcinoma was commonly observed to have a lobular shape (76%), smooth margin (86%) or heterogeneous contrast-enhancement (61.9%). On the kinetic curve, there was a delayed wash-out pattern (52.3%). There were no significant differences in the imaging findings for each histopathologic grade except that a welldifferentiated tumor had an abrupt interface. Conclusion : A well-differentiated mucinous carcinoma tended to have an abrupt interface on ultrasonography, as compared with the moderately-differentiated one. Mucinous carcinoma showed a heterogeneous enhancement and a delayed washout kinetic curve pattern on dynamic MRI.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.59-63
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• 2014

A 66-year-old woman was transferred to our hospital due to her right breast cancer. Preoperative breast MRI shows 1.9 cm malignancy on her right breast (cT1N0M0) and incidentally found osteosclerotic change of left coststernoclavicular region. Bone scintigraphy showed hot uptake and the possibility of bone metastasis was not excluded. However, because the bone metastasis is not common in early stage cancer and the costosternoclavicular region is not common site, other possibility should be considered. SAPHO syndrome can be diagnosed even in the absence of dermatosis when there is an axial or appendicular osteitis and hyperostosis, especially in costosternoclavicular region. Though breast imaging specialists are not accustomed to this disease entity, awareness and diagnosis of the SAPHO syndrome can help differentiate bone metastasis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.307-314
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• 2015

This study was conducted in reducing the involuntary motion artifacts because of lungs and heart movements as well as the aliasing artifacts generated during the use of the reduced-FOV EPI technique while performing breast MRI. Performed on a total of 38 obesity female subjects who visited the clinic for pre-examination before surgery within the period from August 1 to November 30, 2014. The 3.0T MRI scanner equipped with a breast scanning coil. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were each used for the evaluation of the acquired images while an Paired T-test and Wilcoxon rank test were performed to check the statistical significance. The variation ratio rose by 15.69% with the additional application of a pre-saturation pulse in the lesion, by 13.72% near the lesion, and 20.63% in the fat and the contrast-to-noise ratio rose by 10.58% in and near the lesion and by 12.03% in the lesion and fat, respectively. there were increases of 22.05% and 21.42% at 0 and 1000 respectively in qulitative evaluation and growth of 16.10% in apparent diffusion coefficient. it showed a statistically significant result(p<0.05) in signal to noise ratio, contrast to noise ratio, diffusion slope coefficient and apparent diffusion coefficient. The involuntary movements artifacts that occur in the phase encoding direction and the aliasing artifacts are considered to be reduced to obtain the best image in the additional use of the pre-saturation pulse as DWI is acquired.