Development of Quantitative Microvascular Breast MRI
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to develop a non-invasive predictor of malignancy in breast tumors through the design and preliminary validation of a new form of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) . The hypothesis is that the spatial distribution of microvasculature around a solid breast lesion is specific for malignancy and can be reliably measured at high resolution by a completely non-invasive, non-contrast-enhanced MRI method. This is being tested by achieving the following: 1. Design/building/testing of ultra-high-strength gradient coils for human breast imaging at 1.5 Tesla (T) and 4T. 2. Design/implementation/testing of MR pulse sequences for selective mapping of microvascular parameters. 3.Correlation of MR-derived microvascular parameters with true microvessel density in a rat model of human breast cancer. A gradient coil has been designed that is suitable for high resolution imaging of tumours in rats and achieves gradient strengths up to 3OOmT/m (typical clinical systems achieve 4OmT/m) . A non-contrast-enhanced MRI pulse sequence that uses diffusion weighting has been implemented at l.5T, and has been used to acquire images of breast tumours in rats. Using an analysis program designed in house, our results show that our technique allows imaging of the micravasculature in tumours. The significance of this research is that, with relatively low-cost modifications to MR imaging equipment, it should be possible to detect, diagnose, and provide much improved prognosis of lesions suspected to be breast cancer. Further, this technique will measure non-invasively the microvasculature, allowing monitoring of anti-angiogenic treatments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADB274269
Entities
People
- Brian Rutt