Breast MRI

Breast MRI, a new way to detect and diagnose breast cancer, is a valuable tool for diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer and other breast abnormalities.  It uses contrast and radiofrequency impulses to create incredibly detailed images of the breast tissue, enabling doctors to evaluate women at high-risk for breast cancer and those who have dense breasts or breast implants.Breast MRI, a new way to detect and diagnose breast cancer, is a valuable tool for diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer and other breast abnormalities.  It uses contrast and radiofrequency impulses to create incredibly detailed images of the breast tissue, enabling doctors to evaluate women at high-risk for breast cancer and those who have dense breasts or breast implants.

This non-invasive procedure lets physicians see what the inside of the breast looks like. MRI uses a large magnet, radio waves and a computer to scan body tissue, producing particularly clear pictures. Breast cancer is often detected through an MRI, eliminating the need for mammography or biopsy.

The breast MRI digital imaging workstation at the Carol W. and Julius A. Rippel Breast Center features a variety of computer-aided detection tools for performing real-time image analysis and interventional planning, as well as a state-of-the-art breast biopsy and excision system.

Breast MRI is not a routine screening procedure. Instead, it is used to detect cancer in high-risk patients with dense breasts and patients with a strong family or genetic history (BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes) of breast disease.  Doctors may also order an MRI to clarify inconclusive findings from other test procedures. Breast MRI can also help determine the staging of breast cancer, search for primary breast cancer in patients with metastatic lymphadenopathy, evaluate patients who have undergone chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, and evaluate breast implants.

Learn more about having a breast MRI screening.