MRI of the breast offers valuable information about many breast conditions that cannot be obtained by other imaging modalities, such as mammography or ultrasound. MR imaging uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves 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 or printed. MRI does not use ionizing radiation (x-rays). 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.
Breast MRI is performed to:
- Evaluate abnormalities detected by mammography.
- Identify early breast cancer not detected through other means, especially in women with dense breast tissue and those at high risk for the disease.
- Screen for cancer in women who have implants or scar tissue that might jeopardize an accurate result from a mammogram.
- Determine the integrity of breast implants.
- Distinguish between scar tissue and recurrent tumors.
- Assess multiple tumor locations.
- Look for multiple tumors prior to breast conservation surgery.
- Determine whether cancer detected by mammography or ultrasound has spread further in the breast or into the chest wall.
- Determine how much cancer has spread beyond the surgical site after a breast biopsy or lumpectomy.
- Assess the effect of chemotherapy.
- Provide additional information on a diseased breast to make treatment decisions.
DynaCAD
DynaCAD is a computer software program that assists the radiologist in reading and interpreting the images of a breast MRI.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 832-912-3600.
