DETECTION OF NODULAR FORMATIONS IN THE MAMMARY GLAND USING MRI: MODERN APPROACHES AND POSSIBILITIES

Аннотация

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a modern, highly informative method for diagnosing nodular lesions in the mammary gland. This method is especially effective in cases where mammography and ultrasound do not provide unambiguous results. MRI allows one to differentiate benign and malignant tumors, assess tissue changes, and detect tumors at early stages. The article discusses the main advantages of MRI, its operating principles, indications for use, as well as limitations and possible difficulties associated with this method. Despite some shortcomings, MRI remains an important tool for diagnosing and monitoringbreast diseases. Key words: Magnetic resonance imaging, MRI of the mammary gland, nodular formations, cancer diagnostics, tumors, mammary gland, contrast agent, visualization, diagnostic methods,oncology. Introduction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most accurate and safe methods for diagnosing nodular lesions in the mammary gland. High spatial resolution and soft tissue contrast make this method indispensable in assessing the morphological and functional characteristics of tumors. Modern protocols for MRI of the mammary gland include dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE-MRI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and spectroscopy, which allows not only to detect neoplasms, but also to determine their biological nature. Figure 1.MRIofthemammary gland with contrast enhancement Advantages andfeatures ofMRI ofthe mammary gland 98,7:ROTCAFTCAPMI.SECNEICSLACIDEM ,5202 ,hcraM,5emuloV gro.srehsilbupcimedaca.www MRI is superior to traditional diagnostic methods (mammography and ultrasound) in cases of: •High densityof breast tissue, when mammography is uninformative. •Ambiguous results of otherdiagnosticmethods. •Suspected multifocal ormulticentric cancer. •Evaluation oftheeffectiveness ofchemotherapy. One of the key advantages of MRI is the ability to detect changes in vascularization and differentiatebenign and malignant tumors. Figure 2.MRI(a) and mammography (b) ofbreast cancer HowMRI works MRI is based on the phenomenon of nuclear magnetic resonance, in which hydrogen nuclei in tissues interact with a magnetic field and radiofrequency pulses to emit signals that form animage. In thecontextof breast diagnostics thefollowing are used: •T1-weighted images –foranatomical visualization. •T2-weighted images –toassess tissuestructureand detect edema. •DCE-MRI(dynamiccontrast enhancement) –toassess tumorvascularization . •DWI(diffusion-weighted imaging) –to determinecell density. 98,7:ROTCAFTCAPMI.SECNEICSLACIDEM ,5202 ,hcraM,5emuloV gro.srehsilbupcimedaca.www The use of gadolinium-based contrast agents significantly increases the sensitivity of the