27 Jan Breast Imaging with Combined MRI and Near Infrared Spectroscopy

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Michael Mastanduno
Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College
14 Engineering Dr.
Hanover, NH 03755

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?

Answer: The study was able to illustrate the design and clinical testing of an MRI breast coil for combined MRI and Near Infrared Spectroscopy. The coil was tested on 8 healthy volunteers spanning all bra cup sizes and mammographic density categories. In the past, MRI/NIRS imaging was only possible in C and D cup sized breasts. The system also will give researchers the ability to target lesions in hard-to-reach areas close to the chest wall. With the successful completion of this study, simultaneous MRI/NIRS is possible in all breast sizes, tissue compositions, and lesion locations.

MedicalResearch.com: Were any of the findings unexpected?

Answer:  We were not expecting to be able to provide as complete coverage to auxiliary regions of the breast as we are. Since this is a common lesion location, that is very encouraging.

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Answer:  Clinicians should take way that while MRI/NIRS imaging is still an emerging technique, it is potentially a very useful one. MRI/NIRS characterizes breast lesions’ total hemoglobin, oxygen saturation, water and lipid content, and scattering prior to biopsy. These functional quantities could serve as biomarkers to help distinguish malignant lesions from benign ones. This technique is now capable of accommodating all breast sizes and lesion locations.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Answer:  The future of this technology will be determined by a large patient study in breast cancer patients. The system is ready and a clinical trial would help to really determine the effectiveness of the technique as a predictor of malignant breast cancer.

Citation:

Adaptable Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Fiber Array for Improved Coupling to Different Breast Sizes During Clinical MRI
Michael A. Mastanduno, Fadi El-Ghussein, Shudong Jiang, Roberta DiFlorio-Alexander, Xu Junqing, Yin Hong, Brian W. Pogue, Keith D. Paulsen
Academic Radiology – February 2014 (Vol. 21, Issue 2, Pages 141-150, DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2013.09.025)

Last Updated on October 18, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD