MRI Breast Biopsy

Siemens MAGNETOM SKYRA 3.0 T MRI Scanner

MRI Breast Biopsy:

Lumps or abnormalities in the breast are often detected by physical examination, mammography, or other imaging studies. However, it is not always possible to tell from these imaging tests whether a growth is benign or cancerous.

A breast biopsy is performed to remove some cells from a suspicious area in the breast and examine them under a microscope to determine a diagnosis. This can be performed surgically or, more commonly, by a radiologist using a less invasive procedure that involves a hollow needle and image-guidance.

An MRI-guided breast biopsy is most helpful when a patient has a breast abnormality such as:

• a suspicious mass not identified by other imaging techniques
• an area of distortion
• an area of abnormal tissue change

Our specially trained radiologists use MRI-guided breast biopsy to precisely locate and remove cells from a suspicious area in the breast for diagnosis and treatment planning.

The benefits of MRI guided breast biopsy are;

• The procedure is less invasive than surgical biopsy, leaves little or no scarring and can be performed in less than an hour.
• MRI-guided breast biopsy using a core needle is considered both safe and accurate.
• Compared with stereotactic biopsy, the MRI-guided method avoids the need for ionizing radiation exposure.
• MRI-guided breast biopsy, using either the core needle method or the vacuum-assisted device, takes less time than surgical biopsy, causes less tissue damage, and is less costly.

Recovery time is brief and patients can soon resume their usual activities

How It Works:

MRI scanners do not use any ionizing (x-ray) radiation. Instead, MRI uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body.

An MRI scan can be used to examine almost any part of the body, including the:

• brain and spinal cord
• bones and joints
• breasts
• heart and blood vessels
• internal organs, such as the liver, womb or prostate gland 

The results of an MRI scan can be used to help diagnose conditions, plan treatments and surgery. MRI scans are most often used for looking at non-bony parts of the body, or the "soft tissues" of the body and the brain, spinal cord and nerves are seen much more clearly with an MRI scanner compared to regular X-Rays and C.T Scans. Muscles, tendons and ligaments are also seen very clearly on an MRI scan and are commonly requested to take diagnostic images of the knees, shoulders and other joints, particularly following injuries. MRI images provide the patient and referring doctor with an unparalleled high resolution view of the organ or body part being imaged, ultimately resulting in a more efficient and accurate diagnosis of the patients injury or disease process.