Water is the major composition of the body and MRI takes the advantage of the magnetic properties of the hydrogen nuclei (protons) in the body tissue. Magnetic resonance imaging applies magnetic fields to produce detailed cross-sectional images of tissue structures. A small portion of the protons in the patient body are brought into alignment with a strong magnetic field within the MRI scanner. MR examination was performed on a 1.5 Tesla Philips achieve MR scanner (Philips medical system, Netherlands) using a dedicated 8 channel bilateral breast coil with patients positioned prone and the breasts hanging freely into the cushioned openings which are surrounded by the specialized breast coil, which is a signal receiver and works with the MRI unit to create images. In our study, assessment of breast lesions by DCE MRI ALONE provided a sensitivity of 97.6%, specificity of 80%, positive predictive value was 91.1% and negative predictive value was 94.1%. P value <0.0001. In our study, breast lesions evaluated by a protocol incorporating DWI into conventional DCE MR showed a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 90%, and Positive predictive value of 95.4% and negative predictive value of 100%. P value <0.0001. Measure of agreement (Kappa) is 0.92.

In India, it is the second most common cancer after carcinoma cervix. However, its incidence is rising and it has already surpassed the incidence of carcinoma cervix in metros like Delhi with age adjusted incidence of 29.0 per 100,000 per year in the year 2003. Breast cancer is a major health issue in women and the stage (extent of a cancer in the body) of the cancer at the time of diagnosis, determines the treatment options and also has a strong influence on the length of survival. All the patients were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Informed consent was taken from each patient included in the study. Breast MR imaging was performed within days 7-14 of the menstrual cycle for premenopausal women. A thorough clinical history was taken. All the patients were explained about the procedure to make them comfortable. Various indications for which the patients were referred for MRI of the breast in our study were as follows: mass (51 0f 62 patients; 82.2%) detected in mammogram, ultrasound or clinical examination; focal asymmetry on mammogram (4 of 62 patients; 6.5%); 2 (3.2%) patients had bloody nipple discharge; 2 (3.2%) patients presented with mastalgia; 2 (3.2%) patients had nipple eczema; one (1.6%) patient had breast swelling.