Systematic review and meta-analysis of the association of preoperative MRI with in-breast tumor recurrence after breast-conserving surgery

It is unknown whether the identification of additional tumors in the breast using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI) results in a lower risk of in-breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) after breast conserving surgery (BCS). Systematic review of 20 relevant studies found that 2 studies reported a significant lower rate of IBTR with pMRI, while 18 found no difference although 12 of these 18 demonstrated a trend toward lower IBTR in the pMRI group.The criteria for meta-analysis were met by 16 studies. Meta-analysis of 11 studies showed a trend toward lower rate of IBTR fo patients who received pMRI (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.74-1.05). Meta-analysis of 5 studies with similar follow-up duration for both groups demonstrated a lower relative risk of IBTR with pMRI (RR 0.45; 95% CI 0.25-0.81). The authors conclude that some evidence supports the hypothesis that identification of additional tumor in the breast using pMRI results in lower rates of IBTR after BCS, although the main meta-analysis did not confirm this hypothesis.