CHARACTERISTICS OF MAGNETIC-RESONANCE SEQUENCES USED FOR IMAGING SILICONE GEL, SALINE, AND GEL-SALINE IMPLANTS AT LOW-FIELD STRENGTHS

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. Low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of breast implants is described, with emphasis on the capabilities provided by different imaging sequences. METHODS. Open architecture MR images using a .064-T permanent magnet and three-dimensional Fourier transform and inversion recovery sequences were obtained. A breast coil was designed and built for this project. Symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with silicone, saline-silicone and saline implants, and phantoms were part of this study. Phase images mere used to differentiate protons in silicone, water, and fat. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS, Low-field MRI permitted differentiation of silicone, water, and fat. Implant anatomy and surrounding pathology could be imaged and identified.