Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of residual breast tissue following mastectomy and reconstruction with silicone implants.

Purpose: We present our use of magnetic resonance (MR) measurement to determine the amount of residual breast tissue (RBT) following total mastectomy with reconstruction. Methods: Breast MR images of 45 women who underwent surgery between January and November 2011 were reviewed. The cohort included therapeutic and prophylactic mastectomies. RBT was evaluated at four pointswith a digital caliper assessing T2-weighted and T1-weighted images. Results: Patients undergoing mastectomy for carcinoma tended to have less RBT than in prophylactic surgery. Greater age and recent surgery both correlated with larger RBT. Conclusions: Variable thickness of RBT is demonstrable followingmastectomy and implant reconstruction using MR imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]