Repeatability and reproducibility of 3D MR fingerprinting relaxometry measurements in normal breast tissue

Background The 3D breast magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) technique enables T 1 and T 2 mapping in breast tissues. Combined repeatability and reproducibility studies on breast T 1 and T 2 relaxometry are lacking. Purpose To assess test–retest and two‐visit repeatability and interscanner reproducibility of the 3D breast MRF technique in a single‐institution setting. Study Type Prospective. Subjects Eighteen women (median age 29 years, range, 22–33 years) underwent Visit 1 scans on scanner 1. Ten of these women underwent test–retest scan repositioning after a 10‐minute interval. Thirteen women had Visit 2 scans within 7–15 days in same menstrual cycle. The remaining five women had Visit 2 scans in the same menstrual phase in next menstrual cycle. Five women were also scanned on scanner 2 at both visits for interscanner reproducibility. Field Strength/Sequence Two 3T MR scanners with the 3D breast MRF technique. Assessment T 1 and T 2 MRF maps of both breasts. Statistical Tests Mean T 1 and T 2 values for normal fibroglandular tissues were quantified at all scans. For variability, between and within‐subjects coefficients of variation (bCV and wCV, respectively) were assessed. Repeatability was assessed with Bland–Altman analysis and coefficient of repeatability (CR). Reproducibility was assessed with interscanner coefficient of variation (CoV) and Wilcoxon signed‐rank test. Results The bCV at test–retest scans was 9–12% for T 1 , 7–17% for T 2 , wCV was <4% for T 1 , and <7% for T 2 . For two visits in same menstrual cycle, bCV was 10–15% for T 1 , 13–17% for T 2 , wCV was <7% for T 1 and <5% for T 2 . For two visits in the same menstrual phase, bCV was 6–14% for T 1 , 15–18% for T 2 , wCV was <7% for T 1 , and <9% for T 2 . For test–retest scans, CR for T 1 and T 2 were 130 msec and 11 msec. For two visit scans, CR was <290 msec for T 1 and 10–14 msec for T 2 . Interscanner CoV was 3.3–3.6% for T 1 and 5.1–6.6% for T 2 , with no differences between interscanner measurements ( P = 1.00 for T 1 , P = 0.344 for T 2 ). Data Conclusion 3D breast MRF measurements are repeatable across scan timings and scanners and may be useful in clinical applications in breast imaging. Level of Evidence: 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:1133–1143.