Overall, in 23 of 40 lesions of unknown histologic type (58 percent), biopsy could have been prevented if patients had undergone MR spectroscopy during their MRI exam, and all cancers would have been detected.
"MR spectroscopy is fast and well tolerated, and could be readily incorporated into a breast MRI examination," said Dr. Bartella. "By reducing the number of benign biopsies recommended at MRI, the use of MR spectroscopy will not only reduce patient morbidity, but will save unnecessary anxiety, cost and time for both the patient and the medical staff."
Dr. Bartella hopes that in the future, MR spectroscopy will be incorporated into routine diagnostic breast MRI exams, which will prevent most patients from having to return to the imaging center for a second examination.
"By working to improve this technology, we hope to improve the acceptability and cost-effectiveness of this imaging technique," Dr. Bartella concluded. "The door to breast MR spectroscopy in the clinical setting is now beginning to open."
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Radiology is a monthly scientific journal devoted to clinical radiology and allied sciences. The journal is edited by Anthony V. Proto, M.D., School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va. Radiology is owned and published by the Radiological Society of North America, Inc. (RSNA.org/radiologyjnl)
The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) is an association of more than 38,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists committed to promoting excellence in radiology through education and by fostering research, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Ill. (RSNA.org)
["Proton MR Spectroscopy with Choline Peak as Malignancy Marker Improves Positive Predictive Value for Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Preliminary Study." Collaborating with Dr. Bartella on this paper were Elizabeth A. Morris, M.D., D. David Dershaw, M.D., Laura Liberman, M.D., Sunitha B. Thakur, Ph.D., Chaya Moskowitz, Ph.D., Jennifer Guido, B.A., and Wei Huang, Ph.D.]
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