31P Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging of the Breast; Influence of the Menstrual Cycle

Bertine L. Stehouwer¹, Wybe J.M. van der Kemp¹, Peter R. Luijten¹, Maurice A.A.J. van den Bosch¹, Wouter B. Veldhuis¹, Jannie P. Wijnen¹, Dennis W.J. Klomp¹

We investigated the phosphomonoester / phosphodiester ratio in the breast of healthy females, and the influence of the menstrual cycle on the ratio, using 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 7.0 Tesla. Five premenopausal and five postmenopausal women were included. A variation in ratios was seen throughout the menstrual cycle, however no particular pattern could be objectified. The ratio always remained <1. When using 31P MRS in a clinical setting a variation between women and between moments in the menstrual cycle has to taken into account.