Ultrasound and MR Mammography in Evaluation of Breast Masses

Background: Evaluating breast masses is an important issue facing different modalities of diagnostic radiology. Ultrasound is an important imaging modality which can diagnose different types of breast conditions and plays important role in the differentiation and classification of breast masses. The role of MR mammography as an adjunct to ultrasonography has been established in numerous research studies. Cancer breast is one of the most common malignancies affecting females and responsible for most of cancer death.Methods: The present study included 30 female patients referred to Radiology Department from Outpatient Clinics and General Surgery Department. Patients were subjected to full clinical history, clinical breast examination, breast ultrasound examination, MR mammography pre and post contrast and ultrasound guided biopsy with histopathology correlation. Results: In relation to histopathology results the overall sensitivity of ultrasound was 94.4 %, the specificity was 83.3 % and accuracy was 90 %. Pre contrast MR Mammography had overall sensitivity of 83.3 %, 75% specificity and 80% accuracy. Dynamic MR Mammography showed 89.9% sensitivity, specificity of 92.7% and 90% accuracy Conclusion: The aim of MR Mammography is not to replace the standard diagnostic procedures of breast i.e., clinical examination, mammography and ultrasound but to obtain a detailed evaluation of any lesion. That includes superior evaluation of the extent of the mass, axillary lymph nodes affected, invasion of adjacent structures, occult epsilateral or contralateral lesions and subsequently better staging and managing.