MRI findings of inflammatory breast cancer, locally advanced breast cancer, and acute mastitis: T2-weighted images can increase the specificity of inflammatory breast cancer.

Inflammatory breast carcinoma (IBC) is rare; however, it is the most aggressive variant of breast cancer with a very poor outcome. Locally advanced breast cancer and acute mastitis have a presentation similar to that of IBC. Therefore, the diagnosis of IBC remains a challenge in breast imaging. MRI can play a crucial role in the differential diagnosis by providing criteria indicative of IBC. Several MRI findings, especially T2-weighted images, are promising for more reliable and accurate interpretation of IBC.