Central Baptist Hospital was proud to be the first hospital in the area to offer breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and is the first breast center to perform MRI guided breast biopsies. An emerging technology for breast imaging, breast MRI is one of the most sensitive technologies available.

Although not a substitute for mammography, breast MRI can provide additional information in certain cancer, surgical and treatment planning, and evaluating the success of therapy.

It is also used in evaluating patients with a genetic predisposition for breast cancer, high familial risk patients, palpable abnormalities without a mammogram or ultrasound finding, nipple discharge, and if mammographic or ultrasonographic findings are nonspecific.

Breast MRI may also be used for breast implants, to determine whether the implants are ruptured and to define the extent of leakage that may have occurred.

Please note that the procedure for imaging implants in the breast is not always specifically designed to diagnose or rule out cancer.

The MRI study of the breasts for cancer uses contrast material, which is injected into a vein. The images produced are 3-dimensional and have high resolution and clarity. Breast MRI is very sensitive, often capable of detecting tumors as small as four to five millimeters (the size of a pea).

How MR Imaging Works

The body is placed in the magnetic field of the MRI scanner. Energy in the form of radio waves is then directed to the part of the body being studied. The MR computer reads the radio waves leaving the body and processes them into picture form (images). The images are recorded and stored as part of your medical record.

Pre-Requisites For The Exam

Precise scheduling pre-requisites are necessary to assure your Breast MRI exam results are performed with accuracy. The criteria for exam scheduling will be discussed with your physician at the time your appointment is scheduled.

A few days prior to your MRI exam, it is necessary that our breast radiologists have your most recent mammogram (and ultrasound if requested) to review.

For patients that are pre-menopausal, the exam will be scheduled on day 7-10 of your menstrual cycle. 

If you have been taking hormones it may be necessary for you to be off the hormones several weeks/months prior to the exam.

Preparing For The Exam

No advance preparation is required. Eat normally and take any medication as usual, unless your doctor has given you other instructions.

If you are claustrophobic, your physician may prescribe a mild sedative that you may bring with you to take before the exam. If you need a sedative, you must bring the medication with you, and you will need a driver with you.

Contraindications/Precautions

Because of the strong magnetic field, you cannot be examined by MRI if you have any of the following metal/mechanical devices:

Pacemaker, cerebral aneurysm clips, insulin pumps, inner ear implants, neurostimulator, Copper-7 IUD, breast tissue expanders or any other metal in the body, especially in your eyes. Please notify us if you have any of the above, or are uncertain whether you do.

Pregnancy is also a contraindication for MRI exams, specifically when contrast is used.

What To Expect

You will be asked to change into comfortable clothing that we will provide for the examination. You will be asked to remove jewelry, glasses, hearing aids and any metal objects which could be affected by the magnetic field.

The technologist will obtain a medical history from you and ask several questions to assure your safe entrance into the MRI environment.

Contrast (gadolinium) is necessary to perform the MRI breast exam. The  contrast used will be explained to you. It is important to tell the technologist if you have had a reaction to MRI contrast in the past. A blood test may be performed prior to your exam to assure you have good renal function.

A small intravenous catheter will be placed in your arm for the contrast administration.

In the imaging room, you will be positioned on a softly padded table. You will lie flat on your stomach for the exam. Your breasts will rest in a special “coil” (MRI positioning device) which receives the signal from the area being studied.

Your job during the examination is simply to relax and not move. The quality of your MRI study depends on your ability to hold still. As in a time photograph, the medical image will blur if you move.

The actual MRI breast exam takes 20 to 30 minutes.