Breast MRI at Zwanger-Pesiri
Breast MRI is a valuable tool for screening women who are at higher risk for breast cancer. It is also used in the diagnosis and staging of breast cancer and can help detect cancers that are difficult to find with other imaging methods.
MRI does not use ionizing radiation. Instead, it uses magnetism and radio waves to produce remarkably clear images of breast tissue. Our Women’s Imaging team at Zwanger-Pesiri has decades of experience with breast MRI and are early pioneers in this technique. Our cutting-edge MRI systems provide the clearest, most detailed images for our Breast Imaging experts to make a diagnosis.
A breast MRI is used in conjunction with other imaging studies, such as mammography and breast ultrasound, to provide a more detailed evaluation of breast tissue. It is performed to assess the extent of breast cancer and to screen for breast cancer in women who are considered to be at high risk for the disease.
A Breast MRI may be recommended if:
- You have been diagnosed with breast cancer, and your physician needs to determine the extent of the cancer.
- You're at a high risk for breast cancer, defined as a lifetime risk of 20% or greater. This is calculated by risk assessment tools that account for your family history and other risk factors.
- You have a strong family history of breast cancer.
- You have dense breast tissue and mammograms didn't detect a prior breast cancer.
- You have a suspected leak or rupture of a breast implant.
- You have a history of precancerous breast abnormalities.
- You have a hereditary breast cancer gene change, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2.
- You had radiation treatments to your chest area before age 30.
How is Breast MRI performed?
During a Breast MRI exam, a dye (contrast agent) may be injected through an intravenous (IV) line in your arm to enhance the tissues or blood vessels on the MRI pictures. You will lie face down on a comfortable, padded scanning table. Your breasts fit into cushioned openings in the table, which contains coils that detect magnetic signals from the MRI machine. The table then slowly slides into the opening of the MRI machine. The images are then recorded on a computer.
During the test, the technologist monitors you from another room. You can speak to the technologist through a microphone. You'll be instructed to breathe normally but to lie as still as possible. The test usually takes about 30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please schedule your breast MRI exam 5 to 10 days from the onset of your menstrual period. If you have had a recent biopsy performed, have a regular period, or your referring physician feels the exam is urgent and does not want to wait for your next period, you are exempt from these recommendations.
Do not eat or drink for one hour prior to your exam time. Please bring any prior reports and images.
Because the MRI system uses a very powerful magnet, there are many items that cannot be brought into the exam room. Although a private locker will be provided, it is best to leave certain items at home or with someone during your MRI exam, including:
- Cell phones, pagers, iPads, or any other electronic device.
- Credit cards, driver’s license, and any other card with a magnetic strip.
- Loose change.
- Bobby pins, safety pins, or any other item with metallic pieces.
- Any loose metallic items on clothing or body.
- Glasses, hearing aids, and items such as TENS Units will not be able to go into the exam room, but can be worn until just before entering the MRI room.
Wear comfortable loose-fitting clothes, such as a sweatsuit. Be sure there are no metal zippers, snaps, or buckles. Do not wear earrings, hairpins, or jewelry. Do not apply eye shadow or mascara.
This exam may not be performed if you have a cardiac pacemaker, cerebral aneurysm clips, or a metallic hearing implant. If you are a sheet metal worker or have ever had metal fragments in your eye(s), an orbit x-ray will be taken prior to your MRI exam.