Getting clear images of breast tumors is crucial for surgery planning. Traditionally, women lie face-down (prone) for breast MRI. But that position doesn't match how they'll be positioned during surgery, which is on their back (supine). A new study tested whether supine MRI could provide equally good tumor contrast.
Researchers compared two supine imaging methods to standard prone MRI in women undergoing breast MRI. One method, called independent supine, showed non-inferior tumor-to-fibroglandular contrast compared to prone. The other method, P2S supine, was inferior in that measure. For tumor-to-adipose contrast, both supine methods were non-inferior.
The study included 78 women in the prone group, 17 in the independent supine group, and 61 in the P2S supine group. The findings suggest that supine MRI, especially the independent approach, could be a viable option for surgical planning without sacrificing image quality.
However, the researchers note a key limitation: comparing contrast between different MRI sequences and breast positions is challenging. More research is needed to confirm these results and determine the best supine imaging technique for routine use.