Comparison of readout-segmented and single-shot EPI breast DWI images in
37-year-old woman with breast cancer (invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 3). (a)
Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MR image, (b) T2-weighted short inversion time
inversion recovery image, and DW images with b = 850 sec/mm2 obtained
with (c) single-shot echo-planar imaging, and (d) readout-segmented echo-planar
imaging. Significantly stronger geometric distortion artifacts can be seen on
(c) single-shot echo-planar image compared with (d) readout-segmented
echo-planar image and (b) distortion-free reference STIR image. (d)
Readout-segmented echo-planar image also provides significantly higher anatomic
detail than (c) single-shot echo-planar image because of reduced T2* blurring.
Arrow = malignant lesion. (Adapted from Bogner W, Pinker-Domenig K, Bickel H, et
al. Readout-segmented echo-planar imaging improves the diagnostic performance of
diffusion-weighted MR breast examinations at 3.0 T. Radiology.
2012;263(1):64–76; with permission.)