A Review of Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Characterization of Breast Cancers

Abstract

Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dMRI) has widely been used as a part of breast MRI protocols throughout the world, providing valuable information about breast tissue structures. This method has the potential to improve the characterization of benign and malignant breast lesions thereby guiding treatment decisions. DMRI as a non-contrast approach has certain benefits in comparison with the Dynamic Contrast Enhanced (DCE) method. Particularly, dMRI does not need intravenous contrast, which makes the imaging process faster and easier. Although there are still concerns about dMRI images quality, advances in the acquisition methods seem to be promising. More advanced dMRI strategies, such as Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and Intravoxel Incoherent Motion (IVIM), not only improve diagnosis accuracy, but also present new information about tissue perfusion. This review will present an overview of dMRI in the characterization of breast cancers.