Magnetic Resonance Mammography (MRM): A Promising Application for Fat Suppression by Phase Unwrapping in the 3-Point-Dixon Method.

Purpose This study was undertaken 1 to further develop Phase Unwrapping in the 3-Point- Dixon Method PU3PD for Magnetic Resonance Mammography MRM on a V. 5.4 GE Signa 1.5 T MR1 scanner, 2 to compare the PU3PD technique to conventional methods for fat signal elimination subtraction 3D SPGR and FATSAT in MRM. Subjects and Methods 17 female patients 32-74 years mean 48.76 years with 18 mammographically suspicious lesions were enrolled. 18 sets of unilateral 3D SPGR and PU3PD images and 11 sets of bilateral FATS AT and PU3PD images were obtained following i.v. gadolinium contrast media administration. Results PU3PD was preferred 89 over subtraction 3D SPGR and 73 over FATSAT images for fat elimination and 89 and 55 for lesion characterization. Pathologic confirmation was available for 1518 lesions. PU3PD afforded improved lesion characterization than 3D SPGR as PU3PD images were not plagued by subtraction artifact. Bilateral FATSAT and PU3PD, performed at the end of each study both afforded suboptimal lesionregion characterization. Conclusion PU3PD can provide better fat signal elimination than subtraction 3D SPGR and FATS AT. Lesion morphology on PU3PD images can be superior to subtraction 3D SPGR. PU3PD was developed for a v. 5.4 GE Signa 1.5 T MRI scanner.