Can Field Cycling Imaging more accurately outline breast tumors than MRI?
A new medical imaging prototype has allowed for more accurate detection of breast tumor material.
A team of researchers from the University of Aberdeen (UK) have collaborated with NHS Grampian (Aberdeen, UK) to assess the potential of a Field Cycling Imaging (FCI) prototype in examining breast cancer tissue in newly diagnosed patients. The team discovered that FCI more accurately detected tumor material from healthy tissue than current methods of imaging and did not require the use of contrast agents.
MRI has many benefits for breast cancer imaging – including in cases where breast tissue is dense – as the good tissue penetration of radiofrequency waves does not affect cell or biomolecule integrity, allowing for non-invasive visualization of the whole breast.
However, MRI also has some drawbacks as the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents required for MRI has led to concerns about gadolinium deposition in tissues. Additionally, some breast pathologies remain difficult to detect with MRI.
To overcome these challenges, the team developed a new FCI prototype based on MRI technology and fast field-cycling nuclear magnetic resonance. This prototype allows for a broad magnetic field strength from 20 μT to 200 mT for T1 contrast. Low magnetic field strengths have been known to offer excellent endogenous T1 contrasts between tissues, but strengths below 0.2T have previously been difficult to obtain. The ultra-low magnetic field capabilities of this FCI prototype have previously been demonstrated in studies identifying brain damage from stroke.
Similarly to MRI, FCI uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body non-invasively. Unlike MRI, FCI can vary the magnetic field strength and does not require potentially hazardous contrast agents, allowing a variety of tissue information to be collected in one scan. This includes tumor material, normal adipose tissue and glandular tissue.
The team assessed their prototype in nine breast cancer patients, comparing the results to images obtained from MRI and other medical imaging technologies.
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“We found that images generated from FCI can characterize breast tumors more accurately. This means it could improve the treatment plan for the patients by improving the accuracy of biopsy procedures by better detecting the type and location of tumors, and by reducing repeated surgery so really, the potential impact of this on patients is extraordinary,” commented corresponding author Lionel Broche (University of Aberdeen).
These results demonstrate for the first time the capabilities of FCI in detecting breast tumors in patients, highlighting that FCI could complement existing medical imaging technologies. The team are continuing to develop their FCI prototype, bringing the technology closer to the clinic.
“This is a truly exciting innovation and as we keep improving the technology for FCI, the potential for clinical applications is limitless,” continued Broche.