Abstract
Background
There are limited data regarding background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) in breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for Asian women.
Objectives
To determine relationships between the amount of fibroglandular tissue (FGT) and BPE in breast MRI.
Methods
A retrospective review identified 95 MRI examinations of women with normal breasts between March 2012 to July 2014 for inclusion in this study. BPE and MRI-FGT were assessed on precontrast T1-weighted fat-suppressed images by consensus and described according to the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. We analyzed BPE, including early and peak enhancement (Eearly, Epeak), and the signal enhancement ratio (SER). Spearman rank correlations between MRI-FGT and BPE and menopausal status were compared using Mann-Whitney U tests.
Results
Fourteen premenopausal and 81 postmenopausal women had scattered and heterogeneous FGT (74%) and minimal to mild BPE (84%). There was a significant correlation between age and amount of MRI-FGT (r = -2.63; P = 0.01), but not BPE or enhancement kinetics. There was no significant correlation between FGT, BPE, and enhancement kinetics. There was a significant inverse relationship between menopause and the amount of FGT, BPE, and Epeak (P < 0.001, = 0.001, and = 0.04, respectively). There was no significant difference between pre and postmenopausal Eearly and SER (P > 0.05).
Conclusions
There is no significant correlation between the amount of FGT and BPE in either premenopausal or postmenopausal women. The amount of FGT, degree of BPE, and Epeak were higher in premenopausal women.