Comparative analysis of full-field digital mammography and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of malignant breast tumor

Objective To retrospectively compare the efficacy of full-field digital mammography (FFDM) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of mammary cancer. Methods 93 cases suspected mammary lesions both received FFDM and MRI examinations. Compared with pathology,we analyzed the imaging features of mammary cancer in these two methods and investigated the capability of these two methods in mammary cancer diagnosis. Results The sensitivity,specificity,predictive value of positive cases,predictive value of negative cases and accuracy of FFDM in mammary cancer were 84.48%,80.00%,87.50%,75.68% and 82.80% respectively; the detection rate for multi-focus was 55.56%. And the detection rate for microcalcifications in FFDM examination (29/69) was much higher than in MRI (7/69). The sensitivity,specificity,predictive value of positive cases,predictive value of negative cases and accuracy of MRI in mammary cancer diagnosis were 94.82%,97.14%,98.21%,91.89% and 95.69%,respectively; the detection rate for multi-focus was 83.33%. The spiculate margin,ringed enhancement of the peripheral part of tumor and the fast-in-and-fast-out type of the time-signal intensity curve were the diagnostic signs of breast cancer. Conclusion FFDM was sensitive for breast microcalcifications and could be feasible for breast cancer screening. MRI had a high sensitivity and specificity for breast cancer diagnosis,which could be effective for pre-operation estimation.