Negative pressure fixation device to reduce motion artifacts on contrast‐enhanced MRI of the breast: A clinical feasibility study

Abstract

Purpose:To investigate the effect of a negative pressure fixation device on misregistration artifacts in contrast-enhanced (CE) MR subtraction images. Materials and Methods:Nine patients, two of which had been previously diagnosed with breast cancer, were examined with T2-weighted (T2-w) turbo spin-echo (TSE) and three-dimensional (3D) spoiled gradient-recalled echo (SPGR) CE dynamic MRI. Baselines images were subtracted from the dynamic images. A device consisting of two stiff plastic domes was placed on the breasts of each patient. Negative pressure of 27 to 37 mmHg within the domes was maintained. The patient was positioned prone in the coil without the device and imaged as a baseline. Subsequently, the patient was placed into the negative pressure domes and reimaged. One of the nine patients was also imaged supine to establish feasibility for this positioning. Results:With the use of the negative pressure fixation device, a reduction in misregistration artifact has been demonstrated in prone imaging. Patients reported improved comfort with the device and feasibility has been shown for supine imaging. Conclusion:The device was shown to be MRI-compatible and successfully applied in this pilot study, opening other avenues of exploration. Supine positioning for breast imaging makes possible better access for biopsy and intervention. Further modifications to the device are in order for this purpose and to eliminate motion due to breathing in the prone position.

Prevalence and influencing factors for artifact development in breast MRI-derived maximum intensity projections

“…Furthermore, patient compliance is associated with the technical quality of breast MRI (32). A feasibility study by Balakrishnan et al (33) investigated whether a negative-pressure fixation device could reduce the occurrence of misregistration artifacts in breast MRI. Another idea, also discussed by Carbonaro et al (24), is to use different sizes of breast coils adapted to the cup size.…”

Side of contrast injection and breast size correlate with motion artifacts grade and image quality on breast MRI

“…Vacuum devices, as suggested by Balakrishnan et al. (16), could overcome these problems. Furthermore, software solutions have been proposed to correct the problem of misregistration artifacts on subtracted images (17).…”

“…In order to reduce movement, compressive devices were suggested, even though they are seldom used because compression may collapse small vessels, altering contrast enhancement patterns (15). Vacuum devices, as suggested by Balakrishnan et al (16), could overcome these problems. Furthermore, software solutions have been proposed to correct the problem of misregistration artifacts on subtracted images (17).…”