Journal article
Portable NMR for quantification of breast density in vivo: Proof-of-concept measurements and comparison with quantitative MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Vol.92, pp.212-223
2022
Abstract
Mammographic Density (MD) is the degree of radio-opacity of the breast in an X-ray mammogram. It is determined by the Fibroglandular: Adipose tissue ratio. MD has major implications in breast cancer risk and breast cancer chemoprevention. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of accurate, low-cost quantification of MD in vivo without ionising radiation.
We used single-sided portable nuclear magnetic resonance (“Portable NMR”) due to its low cost and the absence of radiation-related safety concerns. Fifteen (N = 15) healthy female volunteers were selected for the study and underwent an imaging routine consisting of 2D X-ray mammography, quantitative breast 3T MRI (Dixon and T1-based 3D compositional breast imaging), and 1D compositional depth profiling of the right breast using Portable NMR. For each participant, all the measurements were made within 3–4 h of each other. MRI-determined tissue water content was used as the MD-equivalent quantity. Portable NMR depth profiles of tissue water were compared with the equivalent depth profiles reconstructed from Dixon and T1-based MR images, which were used as the MD-equivalent reference standard.
The agreement between the depth profiles acquired using Portable NMR and the reconstructed reference-standard profiles was variable but overall encouraging. The agreement was somewhat inferior to that seen in breast tissue explant measurements conducted in vitro, where quantitative micro-CT was used as the reference standard. The lower agreement in vivo can be attributed to an uncertainty in the positioning of the Portable NMR sensor on the breast surface and breast compression in Portable NMR measurements.
The degree of agreement between Portable NMR and quantitative MRI is encouraging. While the results call for further development of quantitative Portable NMR, they demonstrate the in-principle feasibility of Portable NMR-based quantitative compositional imaging in vivo and show promise for the development of safe and low-cost protocols for quantification of MD suitable for clinical applications.
Details
- Title
- Portable NMR for quantification of breast density in vivo: Proof-of-concept measurements and comparison with quantitative MRI
- Authors
- Nicholas D McKay-Parry (Author) - Gold Coast HospitalTony Blick (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologySatcha Foongkajornkiat (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyThomas Lloyd (Author) - Princess Alexandra HospitalErik W Thompson (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyHonor Hugo (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - LegacyKonstantin I Momot (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
- Publication details
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Vol.92, pp.212-223
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc.
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.mri.2022.07.004
- ISSN
- 1873-5894
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99657598902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
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Source: InCites