Breast MRI

Breast MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to visualize internal structures of the breast. It uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed pictures of the structures within the breast. It is primarily used to screen for breast cancer.

Overview

Breast MRI is not a replacement for mammography or ultrasound imaging but rather a supplemental tool for detecting and staging breast cancer and other breast abnormalities. Medical professionals use breast MRI when they need more information than a mammogram, ultrasound or clinical breast exam can provide. Patients with a high risk of breast cancer might also have a breast MRI.

Procedure

During a breast MRI, the patient lies face down on a padded scanning table. Their breasts fit into a hollow depression in the table, which contains coils that detect magnetic signals from the MRI machine. The table slides into the large opening of the MRI machine. The MRI machine creates a magnetic field around the patient, then directs radio waves at the body to create a detailed image of the inside of the breasts.

Uses

Breast MRI is used to:

• Screen for breast cancer in women identified at high risk
• Further evaluate abnormalities detected on a mammogram
• Provide additional detail for an inconclusive ultrasound
• Determine the extent of cancer after a new diagnosis of breast cancer
• Further evaluate hard-to-assess abnormalities
• Screen for breast cancer in women who can’t have a mammogram due to allergies to mammography dye
• Guide a needle during a biopsy procedure

Risks

While Breast MRI does not use radiation, it does have its own risks. These include:

• Allergic reaction to the contrast dye
• Kidney damage from the contrast dye
• Claustrophobia or discomfort during the procedure
• Inaccurate results leading to unnecessary tests or treatment

See also

• Mammography
• Ultrasound
• Biopsy
• Radiology
• Breast cancer