Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging provides highly detailed pictures of the breast to help evaluate a wide range of conditions. MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radiofrequency pulses to produce clear and detailed pictures. MRI does not use ionizing radiation and does not involve x-ray exposure. Detailed MR images allow physicians to better determine the presence of certain diseases that may not be assessed adequately with other imaging methods such as mammogram or ultrasound.
Breast MRI is commonly performed for:
• Screening women at high risk for breast cancer – for example women with a strong family history of breast cancer.
• Determining the extent of breast cancer after a new diagnosis.
• Further evaluate abnormality on mammogram.
• Evaluating sites of lumpectomy following treatment for breast cancer.
• Evaluating breast implants for rupture.DYNACAD
CP Advanced Imaging ultililzes DynaCAD, a state-of-the-art Breast MRI CAD System (computer-assisted detection). Using DynaCAD, our Radiologists are equipped with a comprehensive set of tools to perform real-time image analysis with increased diagnostic confidence.
- If you have had any prior mammograms, breast ultrasounds or breast MRIs at another facility, please bring them with you on the day of your appointment.
On the day of the exam, you may eat normally. Take all of your prescribed medications as directed. You should wear loose, comfortable clothing, avoiding garments that have zippers, belts or buttons made of metal. You may be asked to wear a gown during the procedure. An MRI uses a strong magnet, so you will be asked to remove your watch, and any other jewelry, hairpins or metal objects. You may also be asked to remove any makeup you are wearing, as some brands contain trace amounts of metal.
You should tell the technologist if you have a pacemaker, brain aneurysm clip, hearing implant, and/or metal fragments near the eye as they may potentially pose a risk depending on their nature.
Women should always inform their physicians and technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.
- You will be comfortably positioned on an exam table that slides into the MRI scanner. The technologist will perform the MRI sequences at the control unit in an adjoining room. You will be able to communicate with the technologist by means of an intercom, and music or earplugs will be available for your comfort. MRI exams include multiple runs (sequences), some of which may last several minutes. Breast MRI examinations require the patient to receive an injection of contrast dye into the bloodstream. The entire exam is typically completed in 30 to 45 minutes.
