Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging of the normal breast: reproducibility of DTI-derived fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient at 3.0 T

Abstract

ADC and FA measurements obtained with DTI are reproducible and may be valid, reliable and sensitive to change. ADC values obtained with DTI are more reproducible than FA.

Tracking the Mammary Architectural Features and Detecting Breast Cancer with Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging

“…More recently, diffusion weighted MRI and the resulting maps of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) have been evaluated as a complement method to DCE-MRI and it was shown that ADC values can help distinguish between cancers, benign lesions and normal breast tissue 9,10 . In addition, studies of breast diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were initiated in healthy volunteers and patients with breast lesions at field strength of 1.5 T [11][12][13][14][15] and of 3 T [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] . Most of these studies reported ADC and fractional anisotropy (FA) values 11,12,14,15,[20][21][22][23] and found these two parameters to be reproducible with ADC values more reproducible than FA 13,20 .…”

“…In addition, studies of breast diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were initiated in healthy volunteers and patients with breast lesions at field strength of 1.5 T [11][12][13][14][15] and of 3 T [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] . Most of these studies reported ADC and fractional anisotropy (FA) values 11,12,14,15,[20][21][22][23] and found these two parameters to be reproducible with ADC values more reproducible than FA 13,20 . The results of these studies indicated that malignant lesions exhibit low ADC values as compared to normal tissue and benign lesions, however, conflicting results were reported on the values and diagnostic capability of FA 11,12,14,[20][21][22][23] .…”

“…Most of these studies reported ADC and fractional anisotropy (FA) values 11,12,14,15,[20][21][22][23] and found these two parameters to be reproducible with ADC values more reproducible than FA 13,20 . The results of these studies indicated that malignant lesions exhibit low ADC values as compared to normal tissue and benign lesions, however, conflicting results were reported on the values and diagnostic capability of FA 11,12,14,[20][21][22][23] . In a set of 3 T-DTI studies the values of the three tensor eigenvalues and eigenvectors in the breast tissue frame were reported as well, and the results were presented in vector maps of the main eigenvector and parametric maps of the eigenvalues, ADC, FA and a maximal anisotropy index [16][17][18][19]24 .…”

Can diffusion tensor anisotropy indices assist in breast cancer detection?

“…Hence, DTI measurement of the normal breast has allowed characterizing the breast ductal/ glandular trees. [16][17][18][19] Blockage of the ducts and lobules by cancer cells increases the extracellular tortuosity and restriction of the water movement, causing a reduction of the diffusion coefficients in all directions and consequently also decreasing the diffusion anisotropy. 20 In most breast DTI studies, FA has been the common anisotropy index applied for both characterization of the normal fibroglandular tissue 16,17,[21][22][23] and for cancer diagnosis.…”

Is diffusion tensor imaging useful in the assessment of the sciatic nerve and its pathologies? Our clinical experience

“…7,[10][11][12] Some studies have highlighted its high reproducibility and feasibility in the clinical setting. 13,14 For example, reproducibility studies in brachial plexus show an overall reproducibility between 81% and 92%, considering combined influence of the observer and of the repeated measurements.…”