Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive way of viewing organs, soft tissues, bone and other internal body structures without the use of x-rays. MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves together with a computer to create cross-sectional, three-dimensional pictures of the head and body. Detailed MR images allow physicians to better evaluate parts of the body for conditions that may not be visible with other imaging methods (such as x-ray, ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT) scan). MRI has proven very valuable in diagnosing a broad range of conditions, including cancer, heart and vascular disease, stroke and musculoskeletal disorders.

MRI of the breast is not a replacement for mammography or ultrasound imaging but rather is a supplemental tool for detecting and staging breast cancer and other breast abnormalities.

Recent research has demonstrated that MRI can detect some small breast lesions sometimes missed by mammography. MRI can also help detect breast cancer in women with breast implants and younger women with dense breast tissue–both of which are difficult to image using traditional mammography.

What are some common uses of the procedure?

    MRI is used 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.
  • evaluate abnormalities detected by mammography.
  • 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.
  • check the progress of chemotherapy.
  • 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.
  • provide additional information on a diseased breast to make treatment decisions.

How should I prepare for the procedure?
You may be asked to provide a urine sample for a pregnancy test prior to your MRI exam. Because the risks to a fetus are unknown, pregnant women should not have an MRI exam unless the potential benefit from the MRI is determined to outweigh the potential risks.

If you have minor claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces) or anxiety, you may want to ask your physician for a prescription for a mild sedative.

If your physician plans to use a contrast material with your MRI, you may be asked if you have an allergy of any kind such as hay fever, hives, allergic asthma, or allergy to food or drugs. However, the contrast material used for an MRI exam, called gadolinium, does not contain iodine and is less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

The radiologist should also know if you have any serious health problems. Some conditions, such as kidney disease and sickle cell anemia, may prevent you from having an MRI with contrast material.

Prior to your exam, you may continue to take your usual medications, unless you are told otherwise. You may be given a hospital gown to wear during the exam, or you may be allowed to wear your own clothing if it is loose-fitting and has no metal fasteners. Jewelry and other accessories should be left at home if possible, or removed prior to the MRI scan. Metal and electronic objects can interfere with the MRI's magnetic field and are not allowed in the exam room. These items include:

  1. Jewelry, watches, credit cards and hearing aids, all of which can be damaged.
  2. Pins, hairpins, metal zippers and similar metallic items, which can distort MRI images.
  3. Removable dental work.
  4. Pens, pocketknives and eyeglasses.
  5. In most cases, an MRI exam is safe for patients with metal implants, except for a few types.
  6. Tell the technologist if you have medical or electronic devices in your body, such as:
  7. Artificial heart valves.
  8. Implanted drug infusion ports.
  9. Implanted electronic devices.
  10. Artificial limbs or metallic joint prostheses.
  11. Implanted nerve stimulators.
  12. Metal pins, screws, plates or surgical staples.

In general, metal objects used in orthopedic surgery pose no risk during MRI. However, a recently placed artificial joint may require the use of another imaging procedure. If there is any question, an x-ray may be taken to detect the presence of any metal objects. Sheet metal workers and others who might have metal objects such as shrapnel in their bodies may also require an x-ray prior to an MRI. Dyes used in tattoos may contain iron and could heat up during MRI, but this is rarely a problem.

People with the following implants cannot be scanned and should not enter the MRI area:

    Cardiac pacemakers
    Defibrillators
    A cochlear (ear) implant

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