JMA Journal

Figure 1. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an 8-mm oval mass with circumscribed margins in the upper outer quadrant of the left breast (arrow). Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI demonstrated homogeneous enhancement with a fast washout pattern.

Figure 2. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) demonstrated that the mass was notably stiffer than the mammary gland (Figure 2). Areas marked with a crosshatch symbol (X) indicate regions unsuitable for stiffness measurement. Stiffness maps matching the anatomical structure of the contralateral breast were obtained, and waves propagated without interference in the MRE wave images (Figure 3). The breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was obtained using a 3.0-T MRI system (Signa™ Pioneer; GE HealthCare, Milwaukee, WI, USA). Breast MRE imaging parameters are set as follows: a 16-channel breast coil, repetition time = 1000 ms, echo time = 59.2 ms, motion encoding gradient frequency = 80 Hz, vibration frequencies = 60 Hz, vibration stimulation = 70%, temporal phases = 4, number of excitations = 2, field of view = 380 mm, acquisition matrix = 64 × 64, slice thickness = 8 mm, number of slices = 13, pixel size = 5.9 × 5.9 × 8 mm³, and acquisition times of 69 s.

Figure 3. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) demonstrated that the mass was notably stiffer than the mammary gland (Figure 2). Areas marked with a crosshatch symbol (X) indicate regions unsuitable for stiffness measurement. Stiffness maps matching the anatomical structure of the contralateral breast were obtained, and waves propagated without interference in the MRE wave images (Figure 3). The breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was obtained using a 3.0-T MRI system (Signa™ Pioneer; GE HealthCare, Milwaukee, WI, USA). Breast MRE imaging parameters are set as follows: a 16-channel breast coil, repetition time = 1000 ms, echo time = 59.2 ms, motion encoding gradient frequency = 80 Hz, vibration frequencies = 60 Hz, vibration stimulation = 70%, temporal phases = 4, number of excitations = 2, field of view = 380 mm, acquisition matrix = 64 × 64, slice thickness = 8 mm, number of slices = 13, pixel size = 5.9 × 5.9 × 8 mm³, and acquisition times of 69 s.

Figure 4. A disk-shaped passive driver is attached to the patient’s back, centered and aligned with the nipples. Air vibrations from the active driver, located in the equipment room, are transmitted to the passive driver, causing vibration. Further, this induces vibrations in the patient’s chest wall.