Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI in the Evaluation of Soft Tissue Tumors and Tumor-Like Lesions: Technical Principles and Clinical Applications

Abstract

Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI is an advanced imaging technique that involves intravenous administration of a contrast agent followed by serial imaging to characterize temporal enhancement patterns. This technique provides essential information on tissue vascularity, perfusion, and capillary permeability, which are essential for characterizing soft tissue lesions. DCE-MRI plays a valuable role in differentiating benign from malignant lesions, distinguishing neoplastic from non-neoplastic conditions, evaluating histological grades, and monitoring post-treatment changes by enabling both qualitative and quantitative assessments of tissue enhancement dynamics. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the technical principles of DCE-MRI, summarizes current analytical approaches, and discusses its clinical applications in the evaluation of soft tissue tumors and tumor-like lesions.