Typical atypical findings on dynamic MRI of the breast

Dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE MRI) of the breast has become an important tool to detect and characterize breast disease. The American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS (R)) provides a standardized vocabulary for describing the morphologic features and contrast kinetics of breast lesions. However, some lesions may show morphologic and dynamic MR features not consistent with their histologic nature resulting in incorrect categorization as malignant or benign. Another cause of diagnostic problems is artifacts. Thus correct interpretation of dynamic MRI of the breast demands knowledge of the most common pitfalls encountered in clinical practice. A pictorial overview of these is presented, with particular reference to the differentiation of malignant tumors from benign lesions. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.