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Giving Breast Abnormalities a Closer Look
Rochester Regional Health offers the full spectrum of breast imaging, including breast MRI. Used in addition (not as a replacement) to a mammogram, a breast MRI captures about 1,000 images of the breast, which are combined using a computer, to generate detailed cross-sectional images of the breast.
Breast MRI is the most sensitive modality available to detect breast cancer and is indicated in high risk patients or for other indications such as preoperative staging of breast cancer. Contrast (special dye) is injected to help create clearer images that highlight abnormalities more easily. Breast MRI without contrast may also be used to help detect rupture of a breast implant.
Benefits: Can help detect cancers in high risk patients with strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Can help stage a known breast cancer by more comprehensively assessing the breasts and axillary (armpit) regions.
Risks: A highly sensitive exam, which may identify suspicious areas that, after further evaluation with additional imaging, may turn out to be harmless or benign. In rare cases (about 1 patient in 100,000), allergic reactions may result from the contrast used.
MRI‑Guided Breast Biopsy
An MRI‑guided breast biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure used when a suspicious area is visible only on a breast MRI. Using MRI images for guidance, the radiologist precisely targets the area of concern and removes a small tissue sample for analysis.
This technique is important because it allows for accurate diagnosis when other imaging methods, such as mammography or ultrasound, cannot detect the abnormality.