Breast SVQ scan protocol considerations

Consider these tradeoffs as you change BREASE scan parameters for images that are post processed with the Breast Spectroscopy protocol.

• Select the FOV based on the patient's breast size.
• Typically, use a Voxel Thickness > 15 mm, but make sure the size of the voxel matches the lesion size. For example, do not prescribe a 20×20×20 mm voxel if the lesion is only 10 mm in diameter.
• Advanced tab selections:
  • Scan mode = 1
  • Number of TE steps = 4
  • Turn on Automatic Water Suppression Optimization, if needed
• Set the Frequency Direction to unswapped.
• Select Autoshim = On.
• Use a 32 NEX for a 20×20×20 mm³ voxel.
• Adjust the NEX value as the voxel size changes so that SNR is sufficient to make the diagnosis. If the NEX value is too low, the SNR may be insufficient to make a diagnosis, if it is too high, it may result in patient motion artifact.

  Table 1. Voxel size, NEX and scan time

  Voxel size	NEX	Scan time in minutes
  20 x 20 x 20	32	4.48
  18 x 18 x 18	32	4.48
  15 x 15 x 15	56	8.00

• The maximum number of SAT pulses allowed may decrease based on the patient’s weight. Unless the SAT pulses are absolutely necessary due to an irregular shaped lesion, do not apply them.
• If the lesion is very irregular in shape and the voxel includes some fat tissue, from the Graphic Rx Toolbar, click SAT to prescribe saturation bands to aid fat suppression.