Table 1.
Characteristics of the included studies in the systematic review and meta-analysis.
| Author, Year of Publication | Study Design | Study Participants | Age Range, Average (Years) or Mean ± SD | MR Scanner Manufacturer, Field Strength (Tesla) | MRI Sequence | Orientation, Slice No. | TR/TE (ms) | FOV (cm) | Slice Thickness (mm) | Matrix Size | Flip Angle (°) | Breast Coil | Segmentation Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chang, 2011 [25] | Retro. | 38 | 28–82, 48 | Philips, 3.0 | Fat-suppressed 3D SPAIR | Axial, 160 | 6.20/1.26 | 3.01–38.0 | 1.0 | 480 × 480 | 12 | NA | FCM |
| Non-fat-suppressed 2D TSE | Axial, 84 | 800/8.6 | 31.0–38.0 | 2.0 | 480 × 480 | 90 | NA | ||||||
| Nie, 2010 [26] | NA | 230 | 50 ± 11.0 | Philips, 1.5 | Non-fat-suppressed 3D SGRE (T1W) | Axial, 32 | 8.1/4.0 | 31.0–38.0 | 4.0 | 256 × 256 | 20 | NA | FCM |
| Pertuz, 2016 [27] | Retro. | 68 | 24–82, 52 | Siemens, 1.5 | Non-fat-suppressed (T1W) | NA | NA | NA | 2.4–3.5 | 512 × 512 | NA | NA | FCM |
| Moon, 2018 [28] | Retro. | 98 | 51.81 ± 11.08 | GE, 1.5 | Non-fat-suppressed (T1W) | Axial | 6.2/2.1 | 20.0 | 1.0 | 512 × 217 | NA | NA | FCM |
| Chen, 2010 [29] | Retro. | 35 | 45 ± 7 | Philips, 1.5 | Non-fat-suppressed 3D SGRE (T1W) | Axial, 32 | 8.1/4.0 | 38.0 | 3.0–4.0 | 256 × 128 | 20 | Dedicated 4-channel phased array | FCM |
| Chen, 2016 [31] | Retro. | 23 | 40.5 ± 8.2 | Philips, 3.0 | Non-fat-suppressed 2D TSE (T1W) | Axial, 90 | 654/9.0 | 33.0 | 2.0 | 328 × 384 | NA | NA | FCM |
| Moon, 2011 [32] | Retro. | 40 | 50.9 ± 9.4 | GE, 1.5 | Fat-suppressed 3D GRE (T1W) (VIBRANT) | Sagittal, 144–192 | 6.1/2.5 | 19.0 | 1.5 | 512 × 512 | NA | NA | FCM |
| Klifa, 2010 [11] | Retro. | 35 | 28–59, 43 | GE, 1.5 | Fat-suppressed 3D Fast GRE (T1W) | Axial, 60 | 8.0/4.2 | NA | 2.0 | NA | 20 | Dedicated bilateral phased array | FCM |
| Chen, 2011 [1] | Retro. | 16 | 33–51, 43 | GE, 1.5 | Non-fat-suppressed 3D (T1W) | Axial, 56 | 7.4/3.3 | 30 | 2.0 | 512 × 512 | NA | Dedicated 8-channel bilateral | FCM |
| Nie, 2010 [33] | Retro. | 50 | NA | Philips, 1.5 | Non-fat-suppressed 3D GRE (T1W) | Axial, 32 | 8.1/4.0 | 38.0 | 4.0 | 256 × 128 | 20 | NA | FCM |
| Kim, 2014 [34] | Retro. | 80 | 27–68, 44 | GE, 1.5 | Fat-suppressed 2D FSE (T2W) | Sagittal | 5500-7150/82 | 20.0 | 1.5 | 256 × 160 | NA | Dedicated 8-channel bilateral | FCM |
| Fat-suppressed 3D Fast SGRE (T2W) | Sagittal | 6.2/2.5 | 20.0 | 1.5 | 256 × 160 | 10 | Dedicated 8-channel bilateral | ||||||
| Nie, 2010 [35] | Retro. | 321 | 54 ± 12 | Philips, 1.5 | Non-fat-suppressed 3D SGRE (T1W) | Axial, 32 | 8.1/4.0 | 32.0–38.0 | 4.0 | 256 × 128 | 20 | Dedicated 4-channel phased-array | FCM |
| Wang, 2013 [2] | Retro. | 99 | 47.2 ± 12.1 | GE, 1.5/3.0 | Non-fat-suppressed (T1W) | Axial | NA | NA | 2.0 | NA | NA | Dedicated bilateral phased-array | FCM |
| Bertrand, 2015 [36] | Pros. | 182 | 25–29 | NA, 1.5/3.0 | Non-fat- and fat-suppressed 3D Fast GRE (T1W) | Axial and Coronal | NA | 32.0–40.0 | NA | NA | NA | Dedicated RF coil | FCM |
| Bertrand, 2016 [37] | Pros. | 172 | 25–29 | NA, 1.5/3.0 | Non-fat- and fat-suppressed 3D Fast GRE (T1W) | NA | NA | 32.0–40.0 | NA | NA | NA | Dedicated RF coil | FCM |
| Dorgan, 2012 [38] | Retro. | 174 | 25–29 | NA, 1.5/3.0 | Non-fat- and fat-suppressed 3D Fast GRE (T1W) | Axial and Coronal | NA | 32.0–40.0 | NA | NA | NA | Dedicated RF coil | FCM |
| Gabriel, 2013 [39] | NA | 182 | 25–29 | NA, 1.5/3.0 | Non-fat- and fat-suppressed 3D Fast GRE (T1W) | Axial and Coronal | NA | 32.0–40.0 | NA | NA | NA | Dedicated RF coil | FCM |
| Jung, 2015 [40] | Pros. | 180 | 25–29 | NA, 1.5/3.0 | Non-fat- and fat-suppressed 3D Fast GRE (T1W) | Axial and Coronal | NA | 32.0–40.0 | NA | NA | NA | Dedicated RF coil | FCM |
| Jung, 2016 [41] | Pros. | 177 | 25–29 | NA, 1.5/3.0 | Non-fat- and fat-suppressed 3D Fast GRE (T1W) | Axial and Coronal | NA | 32.0–40.0 | NA | NA | NA | Dedicated RF coil | FCM |
| Dorgan, 2013 [42] | C.S. | 176 | 27.0–27.3, 27.2 | NA, 1.5/3.0 | Non-fat- and fat-suppressed 3D Fast GRE (T1W) | Axial and Coronal | NA | 32.0–40.0 | NA | NA | NA | Dedicated RF coil | FCM |
| Jung, 2015 [43] | Pros. | 177 | 25–29 | NA, 1.5/3.0 | Non-fat- and fat-suppressed 3D Fast GRE (T1W) | Axial and Coronal | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | Dedicated RF coil | NA |
| Jones, 2015 [44] | C.S. | 172 | 25–29 | NA, 1.5/3.0 | Non-fat- and fat-suppressed 3D Fast GRE (T1W) | Axial and Coronal | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | Dedicated RF coil | NA |
| Chen, 2012 [45] | Pros. | 34 | 20–64, 35 | GE, 1.5 | Non-fat-suppressed 2D FSE (T1W) | Axial | 607/9.0 | 38.0 | 2.0 | 256 × 192 | NA | Dedicated 8-channel bilateral | FCM and N3 |
| GE, 3.0 | Non-fat-suppressed 2D FSE (T1W) | Axial | 650/9.0 | 38.0 | 2.0 | 256 × 192 | NA | Dedicated 8-channel bilateral | |||||
| Philips, 3.0 | Non-fat-suppressed 2D FSE (T1W) | Axial | 650/9.0 | 33.0 | 2.0 | 328 × 384 | NA | Dedicated 16-channel bilateral | |||||
| Siemens, 1.5 | Non-fat-suppressed 2D FSE (T1W) | Axial | 650/9.8 | 33.0 | 2.0 | 330 × 384 | 20 | Dedicated 4-channel bilateral | |||||
| Chen, 2015 [46] | NA | 32 | 22–53, 41 | Siemens, 1.5 | Non-fat-suppressed 2D FSE (T1W) | Axial | 650/9.8 | 33.0 | 2.0 | 256 × 256 and 512 × 512 | NA | Dedicated 4-channel bilateral | FCM and N3 |
| Chen, 2013 [47] | NA | 44 | 28–82, 47 | Philips, 3.0 | Non-fat-suppressed 2D TSE (T1W) | Axial | 800/8.6 | 31.0–38.0 | 2.0 | 480 × 480 | 90 | Dedicated 4-channel bilateral | FCM and N3 |
| Fat-suppressed 3D GRE (T1W) | Axial | 6.2/1.26 | 31.0–36.0 | 2.0 | 480 × 480 | 12 | Dedicated 4-channel bilateral | ||||||
| Chan, 2011 [48] | NA | 30 | Pre: (N = 24) | Siemens, 1.5 | Non-fat-suppressed 3D GRE (T1W) | Axial | 11/4.7 | 35.0 | 2.0 | 256 × 256 | 20 | 4-channel dual-mode | FCM and N3 |
| 23–48, 29 | |||||||||||||
| Post: (N = 6) | |||||||||||||
| 51–61, 57 | |||||||||||||
| Choi, 2017 [49] | Retro. | 38 | 32–79, 45 | Philips, 3.0 | Non-fat-suppressed SE (T1W) | Axial | 620/10 | 20.0–34.0 | 3.0 | 332 × 332 | NA | Dedicated 7-channel bilateral | FCM and N3 |
| STIR and SE-EPI (DW) | Axial | 3265/54 | 35.0 | 4.0 | 288 × 288 | 90 | Dedicated 7-channel bilateral | ||||||
| Chen, 2013 [50] | NA | 24 | 23–48, 29 | Siemens, 1.5 | Non-fat-suppressed 3D Fast GRE (T1W) | Axial | 11/4.7 | 35.0 | 2.0 | 256 × 256 | 20 | 4-channel dual-mode | FCM and N3 |
| Clendenen, 2013 [51] | NA | 9 | 24–31 | Siemens, 3.0 | Non-fat-suppressed 3D VIBE (T1W) | Axial | 4.19/1.62 | 26.9 × 20.2 × 28.8 | 0.6 × 0.6 × 1 | 448 × 336 × 288 | 12 | Dedicated 7-channel bilateral | FCM and N3 |
| 3-Point Dixon Non-fat-suppressed 3D FLASH (T1W) | Axial | 7.6/3.37, 4.17. 4.96 | NA | 0.88 × 0.88 × 1.5 | NA | 10 | Dedicated 7-channel bilateral | ||||||
| McDonald, 2014 [52] | Retro. | 103 | 47 ± 11 | Philips, 3.0 | EPI-Parallel Imaging (DWI) | NA | 5336/61 | 36.0 | 5.0 | 240 × 240 | NA | Dedicated 16 channel bilateral | Semi-automated Interactive Threshold |
| Tagliafico, 2013 [5] | Pros. | 48 | 35–67, 41 | GE, 3.0 | 3D Fast SGRE and Fat-suppressed 3D GRE (T1W) (VIBRANT) | NA | 6.2/3.0 | NA | NA | 350 × 350 | 10 | Dedicated 8-channel bilateral | Semi-automated Interactive Threshold |
| IDEAL | NA | 4380/130.872 | NA | NA | 360 × 360 | 90 | Dedicated 8-channel bilateral | ||||||
| Tagliafico, 2014 [3] | NA | 48 | 35–67, 41 | GE, 3.0 | TSE (T1W) | NA | 600/9.0 | NA | 4.0 | 350 × 350 | 90 | Dedicated 8-channel bilateral | Semi-automated Interactive Threshold |
| TSE (T2W) | NA | 5200/103 | NA | 4.0 | 350 × 350 | 90 | Dedicated 8-channel bilateral | ||||||
| Fat-suppressed 3D GRE (T1W) (VIBRANT) | NA | 6.2/3.0 | NA | 1.2 | 350 × 350 | 10 | Dedicated 8-channel bilateral | ||||||
| IDEAL | NA | 4380/130 | NA | 1.2 | 360 × 360 | 90 | Dedicated 8-channel bilateral | ||||||
| Chen, 2013 [53] | NA | 24 | 23–48, 29.4 | Siemens, 1.5 | Non-fat-suppressed 3D GRE (T1W) | Axial | 11/4.7 | 35.0 | 2.0 | 256 × 256 | 20 | NA | Semi-automated Interactive Threshold |
| Ha, 2016 [30] | Retro. | 60 | 54.2 | GE, 1.5/3.0 | Fat-suppressed Fast SGRE (T1W) | Axial | 17/2.4 | 18.0-22.0 | 2.0 | 256 × 192 | 35 | 8-channel breast array | Semi-automated (In-house software) |
| Ledger, 2016 [54] | Retro. | 10 | 23–50, 31 | Siemens, 1.5 | HR/LR 3D GRE (PDW) | Axial | 7.34/4.77, 2.39 | NA | NA | NA | 4 | Sentinelle variable coil geometry | Semi-automated (In-house software) |
| HR/LR3D GRE (T1W) | Axial | 7.34/4.77, 2.39 | NA | NA | NA | 25 | Sentinelle variable coil geometry | ||||||
| LR 2D SE (T1W) | Axial | 500/12 | NA | 7.0 | NA | NA | Sentinelle variable coil geometry | ||||||
| Wengert, 2015 [55] | Pros. | 43 | 21–71, 38 | Siemens, 3.0 | Dixon | Axial, 192 | NA/6.0, 2.45, 2.67 | NA | NA | 352 × 352 | 6 | Dedicated 4-channel bilateral | Fully-automated (AUQV) |
| O’Flynn, 2014 [56] | Retro. | 33 | (N = 17): | Siemens, 1.5 | Fat-suppressed SS-EPI (DWI) | Axial | 6300/83 | 34.0 | 5.0 | NA | NA | Dedicated 4-channel bilateral | Dedicated IDL based software for ADC calculation |
| 33–49, 43 | |||||||||||||
| (N = 16): | |||||||||||||
| 27–49, 40 | |||||||||||||
| Kim, 2016 [57] | Pros. | 57 | 32–74, 50.8 | Siemens, 3.0 | Fat-suppressed TSE (T2W) | Sagittal | 7623/91 | 22 × 22 | 3.0 | 320 × 246 | NA | Dedicated 4-breast array | Manually |
| Fat-suppressed SS-EPI (DWI) | Axial | 5200/74 | 340 × 179 | 5.0 | 80 × 190 | NA | Dedicated 4-breast array | ||||||
| Fat-suppressed 3D FLASH (T1W) | Sagittal | 4.5/1.6 | 22 × 22 | 2.0 | 352 × 292 | 20 | Dedicated 4-breast array |
Abbreviations: Retro.: retrospective; Pros.: prospective; C.S.: cross-sectional; Pre.: pre-menopausal; Post.: post-menopausal; T1W: T1-weighted; T2W: T2-weighted; SPAIR: spectral attenuated inversion recovery; TSE: turbo spin-echo; SGRE: spoiled gradient-echo; VIBRANT: volume image breast assessment; GRE: gradient-echo; FSE: fast spin-echo; STIR: short-TI inversion recovery; DWI: diffusion-weighted imaging; VIBE: volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination; FLASH: fast low angle shot; IDEAL: iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least squares estimation; HR: high-resolution; LR: low-resolution; PDW: proton density-weighted; SS-EPI: single shot- echo-planar imaging; FCM: fuzzy c-mean clustering algorithm; N3: non-parametric non-uniformity normalization; AUQV: automated user-independent quantitative volumetric.