Purpose: We present our use of magnetic resonance (MR) measurement to determine the amount of residual breast tissue (RBT) following total mastectomy with reconstruction.
Methods: Breast MR images of 45 women who underwent surgery between January and November 2011 were reviewed. The cohort included therapeutic and prophylactic mastectomies. RBT was evaluated at four points with a digital caliper assessing T2-weighted and T1-weighted images.
Results: Patients undergoing mastectomy for carcinoma tended to have less RBT than in prophylactic surgery. Greater age and recent surgery both correlated with larger RBT.
Conclusions: Variable thickness of RBT is demonstrable following mastectomy and implant reconstruction using MR imaging.
Keywords: Breast cancer; Breast reconstruction; Magnetic resonance imaging; Residual breast tissue.
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