Diagnostic performance of breast MRI in the evaluation of contralateral breast in patients with diagnosed breast cancer

Aims: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of contralateral breast in patients with diagnosed breast cancer. A secondary objective was to determine accuracy of breast MRI in diagnosing multi-focal and multicentric lesions in the ipsilateral breast. Materials and Methods: Using a non-probability convenience sampling technique, patients with histopathologically diagnosed breast cancer with MRI of breast performed to exclude additional lesions were included. MRI findings were correlated with histopathology. In addition, follow-up imaging with mammography and ultrasound was also assessed for establishing stability of negative findings and for the detected of benign lesions. Results: Out of 157 MRI breast conducted during the period of 2008 to 2013, 49 were performed for patients with diagnosed breast cancer. The sample comprised of all females with mean age 50.7±11.0 years. The patient follow-up imaging was available for a period of 2-5 years. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of MRI in the detection of multifocal/multicenteric lesions was 85.7%, 88.8%, 60% and 96.6% respectively and for the detection of lesions in the contralateral breast were 100%, 97%, 83.3% and 100% respectively. Conclusions: Our study highlights the diagnostic performance and the added value of MRI in the detection of multifocal/multicenteric and contralateral malignant lesions. In patients with diagnosed breast cancer having dense breast parenchyma and with infiltrating lobular carcinoma as the index lesion MRI is particularly useful with excellent negative predictive value in the exclusion of additional malignant foci in the ipsilateral and contralateral breasts.