REAL-TIME virtual sonography (RVS) successfully localised more than 90% of MRI-detected breast lesions, without the need for additional MRI scans in a new study from Gruber and research team.
RVS Localises 91% of MRI-Detected Lesions Without Additional Supine Imaging
MRI is widely used to detect suspicious breast lesions that may not be visible on conventional imaging. However, these often require second-look ultrasound and additional supine MRI scans for accurate localisation, increasing imaging time, costs and patient burden.
A single-center retrospective study assessed lesion localisation, visibility, fusion quality, and histopathological correlation success when using RVS to coregister supine ultrasound and prone MRI data without additional supine MRI studies.
Study Shows High Accuracy Even in Complex Non-Mass Enhancements
The study included 103 female patients with 125 MRI-detected breast lesions who underwent contrast-enhanced prone breast MRI followed by second-look examinations.
Findings demonstrated that RVS successfully localised 91.2% of breast lesions detected on MRI, including 41.6% classified as non-mass enhancements, which are often more difficult to identify using ultrasound alone.
Ultrasound-guided biopsies were performed in 57.6% of cases, with malignancy confirmed in 31.9% of biopsied lesions. Researchers reported that higher breast volume was the only factor significantly associated with reduced localisation success.
Biopsy Guidance and Streamlined Second-Look Breast MRI Pathways
RVS enabled accurate fusion between ultrasound and prone MRI data in real time, potentially eliminating the need for additional MRI acquisitions during diagnostic workups. It was suggested that this approach could help to streamline workflows, costs, and biopsy access for MRI-detected lesions.
Researchers concluded that prone MRI studies alone may be sufficient for successful RVS-guided lesion localisation, supporting broader integration of the technology into breast diagnostics. However, the team also acknowledged that larger prospective studies are needed to further validate the technique across more diverse patient populations.
Reference
Gruber L et al. Real-time virtual sonography for prone-position breast MRI: technical feasibility and accuracy in locating 125 breast lesions. Eur Radiol Exp. 2026;10(1):73. DOI:10.1186/s41747-026-00726-x.
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