ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the MRI findings of pure mucinous breast carcinoma and to investigate the causes of misdiagnosis.Methods MRI findings of 1 3 patients with pure mucinous breast carcinoma were analyzed retrospectively.All patients were verified by surgery and histopathology.Results All the 13 cases were presented as a mass,among which 12 cases (92.3%)had lobular contour and 1 (7.7%) had irregular shape.11 cases (84.6%)showed low or iso-signal intensity and 2 (15.4%)showed heterogeneous iso or high intensity on T1WI.All the 13 cases showed high signal intensity on fat suppression T2WI,and 5 cases(38.5%)showed low signal fiber separation inside. 5 cases (38.5%)showed homogeneous high signal intensity and 8 cases (61.5%)showed heterogeneous high signal intensity on diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)map,the ADC value was (2.002±0.478)× 10-3mm2/s.11 cases (84.6%)showed rim enhancement,among which 8(61.5%)showed persistent enhancement and 2 (15.4%)showed heterogeneous enhancement.Time-signal intensity cure(TIC)of 11 cases(84.6%)were monophasic or biphasic and 2 cases(15.4%0)were wash-out type. 5 cases(38.5%)were misdiagnosed on preoperative MRI.Conclusion There are several MRI features in pure mucinous breast carcinoma,such as lobular contour,high signal intensity on DWI and ADC map,persistent enhancement and monophasic or biphasic on TIC.Comprehending these MRI features is the key to reduce misdiagnosis.