This study investigated the image quality and choice of ultra-high b-value of two DWI breast-MRI research applications. The study cohort comprised 40 patients (20 malignant lesions). In addition to s-DWI with two m-b-values (b50 and b800) and three e-b-values (e-b1500, e-b2000, and e-b2500), z-DWI and IR m-b1500 DWI were applied. z-DWI was acquired with the same measured b-values and e-b-values as the standard sequence. For IR m-b1500 DWI, b50 and b1500 were measured, and e-b2000 and e-b2500 were mathematically extrapolated. Three readers used Likert scales to independently analyze all ultra-high b-values (b1500-b2500) for each DWI with regards to scan preference and image quality. ADC values were measured in all 20 lesions. z-DWI was the most preferred (54%), followed by IR m-b1500 DWI (46%). b1500 was significantly preferred over b2000 for z-DWI and IR m-b1500 DWI (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). Lesion detection was not significantly different among sequences or b-values (p = 0.174). There were no significant differences in measured ADC values within lesions between s-DWI (ADC: 0.97 [±0.09] × 10-3 mm2/s) and z-DWI (ADC: 0.99 [±0.11] × 10-3 mm2/s; p = 1.000). However, there was a trend toward lower values in IR m-b1500 DWI (ADC: 0.80 [±0.06] × 10-3 mm2/s) than in s-DWI (p = 0.090) and z-DWI (p = 0.110). Overall, image quality was superior and there were fewer image artifacts when using the advanced sequences (z-DWI + IR m-b1500 DWI) compared with s-DWI. Considering scan preferences, we found that the optimal combination was z-DWI with a calculated b1500, especially regarding examination time.
Keywords: artifacts; breast; breast cancer; diffusion-weighted imaging; image quality; magnetic resonance imaging; noise reduction.