Purpose Previous studies of breast MR elastography (MRE) evaluated the technique at magnetic field strengths of 1.5T with breast in contact with the driver. The aim of this study is to evaluate breast stiffness measurements and their reproducibility using a soft sternal driver at 3T and compare the results to qualitative measures of breast density. Materials and Methods Twenty-two healthy volunteers each underwent two separate breast MRE scans in a 3T MRI. MRE vibrations were introduced into the breasts at 60Hz using a soft sternal driver and axial slices were collected using a gradient echo MRE sequence. Mean stiffness measurements were calculated for each volunteer as well as a measure of reproducibility using concordance correlation between scans. Mean stiffness values for each volunteer were assessed and related to amounts of fibroglandular tissue (i.e. breast lobules, ducts and fibrous connective tissue). Results The stiffness values were reproducible with a significant p-value<0.0001 between two scans with concordance correlation of 0.87 and 0.91 for center slice and grouping all slices, respectively. Volunteers with dense breasts (i.e. higher grades of fibroglandular tissue) had mean stiffness values of 0.96 kPa (center slice) and 0.92 kPa (all slices) while those without dense breasts had mean stiffness values of 0.85 kPa (center slice) and 0.83 kPa (all slices) (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion Breast MRE is a reproducible technique at 3T using a soft sternal driver. Dense breasts had significantly higher stiffness measurements compared to non-dense breasts.

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A 36-year-old woman with past medical history of neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1) presented to the emergency department with left breast pain and rapid enlargement her left breast. She noted history of a palpable left breast mass for the past 13 years. Physical examination revealed a firm, nonmobile mass that encompassed a majority of the breast with the left approximately five times the size of the right (Figure 1). She was referred for clinical evaluation and imaging. The

Objective: Percutaneous breast and axillary core biopsy followed by marker placement are integral parts of a breast imager's practice benefiting both patients and clinicians. Marker placement is the standard to facilitate future care. The purpose of this study is to characterize the safety and performance of MammoMARK, CorMARK, and HydroMARK biopsy markers by evaluating device-related adverse events, device deficiencies, and long-term safety. Methods: A retrospective review of three radiology practices identified patients who underwent imageguided breast or axillary biopsies followed by marker placement between 1 January 2012 and 1 January 2017. Medical records were reviewed with adverse events related to marker placement and use recorded. Results: 768 markers were placed with three (0.4%) events recorded. Two device deficiencies and one non-serious adverse event occurred in three patients. Device deficiency events involved user errors deploying the markers, one to inability to locate the marker on post-biopsy imaging, and the second to misplacement relative to biopsy target. One non-serious adverse event involved inability to locate/ retain the marker in a surgically resected specimen. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Placement of breast biopsy markers is safe with minimal associated risks. Issues related to device malfunction, durability, reliability, safety, or performance were not reported.