In all cases, a strong enhancement of both breast lesions, if present, and vascular map of breast veins was observed (Fig.7). The maximum percentage enhancement was varying quite widely from 45 to 387% (mean=217±119%), including benign and malignant foci.

In 17 patients (95%), no adverse reaction or local/general discomfort related to the contrast agent administration was detected. In one patient, a cutaneous rash on the chest was observed 30 minutes after MRI, considered of uncertain origin. The patient was successfully treated with steroid and anti-histaminic drugs administered intravenously, with complete resolution of symptoms after a few minutes.

Surgical or biopsy specimen analysis or clinical/instrumental follow-up confirmed the MRI result in 67% of cases. In one case, MRI discovered a multicentric invasive ductal carcinoma with ipsilateral metastatic axillary lymph nodes (Fig.1, Fig.2, Fig.3). The remaining cases are still in diagnostic and clinical follow-up.