Background Parenchymal Enhancement on Breast MRI

IMAGING FINDINGS: ​
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Maximum Intensity Projection (MIP) image demonstrates moderate symmetric, diffuse background parenchymal enhancement bilaterally.
 
WHY IT MATTERS:

1. Normal tissue can enhance after contrast administration during a breast MRI. This is termed background parenchymal enhancement (BPE).
2. BPE can be symmetric or asymmetric and is highly dependent on hormones.
3. BPE is categorized as Minimal, Mild, Moderate or Marked.

FURTHER READING:
Background Parenchymal Enhancement at Breast MR Imaging: Normal Patterns, Diagnostic Challenges, and Potential for False-Positive and False-Negative Interpretation (RadioGraphics 2014)