Accuracy of the method for estimating breast volume on three-dimensional simulated magnetic resonance imaging scans in breast reconstruction.

The authors have developed a simple and intuitive method for measuring breast volume based on three-dimensional simulated images of magnetic resonance imaging scans to accurately estimate breast volume before breast reconstruction. The authors performed a retrospective review of the medical records of 18 patients (20 breasts) who had undergone breast reconstruction at Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital from March of 2009 to July of 2012. All of the patients underwent preoperative assessment of breast volume with two methods: a plaster cast maneuver and a three-dimensional simulated magnetic resonance imaging scan. To determine the accuracy of each method, the authors compared the mastectomy volume with the plaster cast maneuver and with three-dimensional simulated magnetic resonance imaging. In the authors' series, the mean values of the plaster cast maneuver, three-dimensional simulated magnetic resonance imaging, and mastectomy volume were 433.85 ± 176.65 ml, 529 ± 193.33 ml, and 495.25 ± 192.45 ml, respectively. In addition, the mean error between the plaster cast maneuver and mastectomy volume was 137.4 ± 97.66 ml and that between three-dimensional simulated magnetic resonance imaging and mastectomy volume was 54.63 ± 46.30 ml. From a linear regression curve, the correlation coefficient (r2) of the plaster cast maneuver was 0.629 (p = 0.003) and that of three-dimensional simulated magnetic resonance imaging was 0.945 (p < 0.001). The authors' method for preoperatively measuring breast volume on three-dimensional simulated magnetic resonance imaging scans was both efficient and accurate. It would therefore be useful for achieving better aesthetic outcomes of breast reconstruction.