Dynamic Magnetic Resonance Breast Imaging Using a Double Breast Coil: An Important Step Towards Routine Examination of the Breast

The historical development of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast can be divided into four major areas: — MRI Examinations using a whole body magnet and a normal body coil (i.e. without special surface coils) have not been diagnostically useful due to a low signal-to-noise ratio (Mansfield et al. 1979; Ross et al. 1982; El Yousef et al. 1982, 1984). — After the development of a single breast coil (Axel 1984; Fritschy et al. 1984; Stelling et al. 1985), MRI examinations of the breast were performed using T1- and T2-weighted spin echo sequences from 1983 to 1985 (Heywang et al. 1985; Kaiser and Zeitler 1985, 1986a, b). The criteria of pathological lesions (carcinoma, fibroadenoma, cysts, scars, etc.) were evaluated and the relative differences described. — After the introduction of gadolinium-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (Gd- DTPA) [analogous to previous computerised tomography (CT) examinations using X-ray iodine contrast media], additional diagnostic information was sought (Revel et al. 1986; Heywang et al. 1986). Carcinoma and fibroadenomas showed a strong increase in signal intensity and could be differentiated from scars. — Since 1986, important progress has been made using the gradient echo sequences, e.g., fast low-angle shot imaging (FLASH) (Haase et al. 1986; Frahm et al. 1986) and fast imaging with steady progression (FISP) (Oppelt et al. 1986), especially with the combined use of this with Gd-DTPA in so-called dynamic measurements (Kaiser and Oppelt 1987; Kaiser and Zeitler 1987, 1989).