T1-based sensing of mammographic density using single-sided portable NMR

Abstract

Purpose: A single-sided NMR instrument was used to investigate the ability of the T1 relaxation constant to distinguish between regions of low and high mammographic density in human breast tissue. Methods: Measurements were performed on 5 breast slices obtained from 3 women undergoing breast reduction surgery or prophylactic mastectomy. Results: T1 values measured in regions of high mammographic density in both the full breast slices (T1 = 170 ± 30 ms) and excised regions (T1 = 160 ± 30 ms) were found to be significantly different (P