Correlation Between Pharmacokinetic Analysis of DCE-MRI and Breast Image Reporting and Data System (BIRADS) Classification

To determine if pharmacokinetic information derived from dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) could improve the diagnostic value of breast disease. A total of thirty-six female patients (range, 30-70 years, mean 48.1±12.6 years) confirmed BIRADS 3~6 underwent DCE-MRI were retrospectively recruited to this study. Modified two-compartment Tofts model and Brix mode were used to obtain relevant tracer kinetic parameters. Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare the parameters between the BIRADS 3 and 4, BIRADS 4 and 5, BIRADS 5 and 6, respectively. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate a significant difference. In evaluating significance between BIRADS 3 and BIRADS 4, the statistical analysis showed that Brix-kep (P=0.014), ABrix (P<0.001), TTP (P=0.022) were independent factors associated with the discrepancy. All kinetic parameters we calculated were independent factors associated with the discrepancy between BIRADS 4 and BIRADS 5. ABrix (AUC=0.915) do have a good discriminative power between BIRADS 3 and 4. Tofts-kep (AUC= 0.952), ABrix (AUC= 0.990) do have a good discriminative power between BIRADS 4 and 5.The numeric values of Brix-kep, Brix-kel, ABrix, Tofts-ktrans, Tofts-kep and Slope were higher in high grades (BIRADS 5 and BIRADS 6) than in low grades (BIRADS 3 and BIRADS 4) tumors. ABrix have a good discriminative power between BIRADS 3 and 4. Tofts-kep, ABrix do have a good discriminative power between BIRADS 4 and 5. No significant difference between BIRADS 5 and 6.