Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Detection of Subtle Masses in Women with Breast Cancer

Background: magnetic resonance imaging of the breast is becoming auseful adjunct to mammography and sonography for the detection of breast lesions.however, it is not yet accepted as a routine examination for all breast cancer patientsdue to the lack of data regarding whether breast magnetic resonance imaging impactsrecurrence or survival. this trial examines the use of magnetic resonance imagingfor detection of additional lesions in patients with dense breasts and its effect on surgicaltreatment.methods: between november 2011 and november 2012, 51 patients with aconfirmed diagnosis of breast cancer and dense breasts underwent bilateral breastmagnetic resonance imaging. cases were reviewed to determine if the breast magneticresonance imaging detected additional masses, changed the preoperative clinicalstaging, the operation plan, or prompted additional testing.results:magnetic resonance imaging detected 37 additional masses in 19 patientsthat were not detected by mammography. cancer occult to mammography wasdetected by magnetic resonance imaging in one woman. breast magnetic resonanceimaging upstaged the cancer in 7 (13.72%) out of 51 patients. magnetic resonanceimaging impacted surgical treatment in 4(7.84%) out of 51 patients.conclusions: magnetic resonance imaging is effective in the identification ofadditional masses in dense breasts that are not visualized on mammography. of the51 patients, 4 (7.84%) who underwent magnetic resonance imaging altered theirsurgical management due to the magnetic resonance imaging findings. furtherstudies should be undertaken to show that breast magnetic resonance imaging canchange local recurrence and survival.