Breast MRI

MRI of the breast is not a replacement for mammography or ultrasound imaging but rather a supplemental tool for detecting and staging breast cancer and other breast abnormalities.

Breast MRI is performed to:

• evaluate abnormalities detected by mammography
• identify early breast cancer not detected through other means, especially in women with dense breast tissue and those at increased risk
• screen for cancer in women who have implants or scar tissue that might decrease the senstivity of mammography
• determine the integrity of breast implants
• distinguish between scar tissue and recurrent tumor
• determine how much cancer is within the breast after a positive biopsy
• assess the effect of chemotherapy

Without contrast material, an MRI of the breast can show:

• breast tissue density
• cysts
• hematomas
• leaking or ruptured breast implants

By comparing breast images taken before and after contrast material injection, an MRI exam can determine:

• if there are breast abnormalities
• whether an abnormality looks benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous)
• the size and location of any abnormality that looks malignant
• the presence of enlarged lymph nodes

How is it performed?
You will asked to wear a gown during the exam. You should tell the technologist if you have medical or electronic devices in your body, because they may interfere with the exam or potentially pose a risk.

You will lie face down on your stomach with your breasts hanging freely into cushioned openings, which are surrounded by a breast coil, which is a signal receiver that works with the MRI unit to create the images. Except to diagnose implant rupture, all other breast MRI examinations require the administration of an MRI contrast agent.

The contrast material used for an MRI exam, called gadolinium, does not contain iodine and is less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

If contrast material will be used in the MRI exam, the technologist will insert an intravenous (IV) line into a vein in your hand or arm. A saline solution will drip through the IV to prevent blockage of the IV line until the contrast material is injected. You will be moved into the magnet of the MRI unit and the technologist will leave the room while the MRI examination is performed.

Contrast will be injected into the intravenous line (IV) after an initial series of scans. Additional series of images will be taken following the injection. When the examination is completed, you may be asked to wait until the technologist checks the images in case anything else is needed.

Your intravenous line will be removed.

MRI exams include multiple runs (sequences), some of which may last several minutes.

The imaging session lasts approximately 30-60 minutes.