What is MRI of the Breast?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.
MR imaging uses a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures. The images can then be examined on a computer monitor, transmitted electronically, printed or copied to a CD. MRI does not use ionizing radiation (x-rays).
Detailed MR images allow physicians to better evaluate various parts of the body and determine the presence of certain diseases that may not be assessed adequately with other imaging methods such as x-ray, ultrasound or computed tomography (also called CT or CAT scanning).
MRI of the breast offers valuable information about many breast conditions that cannot be obtained by other imaging modalities, such as mammography or ultrasound.
What are some common uses of the procedure?
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.
Medical studies are currently being conducted to determine whether MRI and other imaging methods can contribute to the early detection and prevention of deaths from breast cancer.
MR imaging of the breast is performed to:
- assess multiple tumor locations, especially prior to breast conservation surgery.
- identify early breast cancer not detected through other means, especially in women with dense breast tissue and those at high risk for the disease.
- evaluate abnormalities detected by mammography or ultrasound.
- distinguish between scar tissue and recurrent tumors.
- determine whether cancer detected by mammography, ultrasound, or after surgical biopsy has spread further in the breast or into the chest wall.
- assess the effect of chemotherapy.
- provide additional information on a diseased breast to make treatment decisions.
- determine the integrity of breast implants.
Without contrast material, an MRI of the breast can show:
- breast tissue density.
- cysts.
- enlarged ducts.
- hematomas.
- leaking or ruptured breast implants.
- the presence of enlarged lymph nodes.
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.
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