Diffusion-Weighted MRI: Influence of b-value and lesion characteristics on conspicuity of mammographically-occult invasive breast cancer in women with dense breasts

Women with increased breast density are at elevated risk for breast cancer, independent of other risk factors. While dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI is the gold standard for identification of cancer in dense breasts, high costs and safety concerns associated with gadolinium contrast preclude its use for routine screening. As such, there is a critical need for a safe, effective, low cost screening method in this population. Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), a rapid non-contrast MRI technique, has shown promise for the detection and characterization of breast cancer. We sought to evaluate DWI conspicuity of invasive breast cancers in woman with dense breasts and to determine whether b-value and lesion characteristics affect visibility.