Methods: MRI studies with high temporal resolution can be achieved with an optimized saturation recovery TurboFLASH sequence, which allows a more detailed characterization of contrast enhancement in tissue as is available with the current FLASH 3D techniques. A two compartment model allows characterization of signal time curves with three parameters, Amp (amplitude), k21 (distribution rate constant) and kel (elimination rate constant).
Results: In a prospective study on 314 patients with indetermined breast lesions signal-time-curves revealed differences in the k21 parameter between benign (0.56 +/- 0.46) and malignant lesions (1.25 +/- 0.80) (p < 0.0001) as well as between different histological classifications.
Conclusion: The introduced MR-technique enables a better evaluation of the vascular permeability for the MR contrast media in lesions. Distinct differences were detected, which are influenced by elevated expression of angiogenesis factors such as the vascular endothelial growth factor.