Clinical utility of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in characterizing breast lesions

Rachel Katz-Brull, Philip T. Lavin, Robert E. Lenkinski

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

253 Scopus citations

Abstract

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) of the breast has been proposed as an adjunct to the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination to improve the specificity of distinguishing malignant breast tumors from benign breast tumors. In this review, we carry out a pooled analysis of the clinical breast 1H MRS studies undertaken to date to determine the factors that influence the diagnostic performance of this method. In total, five studies of breast 1H MRS from four independent centers around the world have been published to date. Altogether, 153 tumors were examined, 100 of which were confirmed histologically to be malignant and 53 of which were benign. The lesions presenting a detectable composite choline signal in their corresponding 1H MR spectra were diagnosed as malignant, whereas the lesions with no choline signal were diagnosed as benign. The sensitivity and specificity of breast 1H MRS for detecting breast cancer were 83% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 73% to 89%) and 85% (95% CI = 71% to 93%), respectively, and both values could be as high as 92% after technical exclusions. In a subgroup of 20 young women, the sensitivity and the specificity of the method approached 100%. The factors limiting the sensitivity of the examination were mainly technical. The use of the composite choline signal as a marker for malignancy in breast 1H MRS is a robust method with highly reliable interpretation, because it is based on the appearance of a single peak. The method is likely to provide even better results with technologic advances in breast MRS that lead to the improved detection of the composite choline signal.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1197-1203
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of the National Cancer Institute
Volume94
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 21 2002

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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