Breast MRI is a painless procedure, usually done on an outpatient basis. If an injection of contrast is required, an intravenous line (IV)(a thin plastic tube) will be placed in a vein (usually on the back of your hand or arm) by a nurse before you go into the scan room.
Each set of images usually takes a few minutes, and the whole test usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes. After the test, you may be asked to wait while the pictures are checked to see if more are needed.
A few women had adverse reactions to the contrast dye injected during breast MRI. Others reported the procedure to be uncomfortable because of the position they had to hold or claustrophobia.
How does having an MRI of the breast feel? You won't have pain from the magnetic field or radio waves used for the MRI test. But you may be tired or sore from lying in one position for a long time. If a contrast material is used, you may feel some coolness when it is put into your IV.
The patient lays face down on a padded table made for breast MRIs. The table has special openings for the breasts so they may be examined without being flattened or squeezed. The patient and the table are placed into the MRI machine, which may look like a tunnel or tube, though they are more open.
You will be given a gown to wear and somewhere to place your belongings. You will need to take off your jewellery, bra and any other clothing items that contain metal, such as zippers or metal buttons.
Coil and coil accessories features like ergonomic design and dedicated comfort cushions can relieve stress points and make the patient more comfortable. A shoulder bridge and padding allow for imaging with the patient's arms at their side, which decreases pressure on the sternum.
You will be asked to wear a gown during the exam. No clothing with metal can be worn during a breast MRI.
A breast MRI is mainly used for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, to help measure the size of the cancer, look for other tumors in the breast, and to check for tumors in the opposite breast. For certain women at high risk for breast cancer, a screening MRI is recommended along with a yearly mammogram.
Although it has distinct advantages over mammography, breast MRI also has potential limitations. For example, it is not always able to distinguish the difference between cancerous abnormalities, which may lead to unnecessary breast biopsies. This is often referred to as a "false positive" test result.
Focus on breathing or meditation
People practice meditation in many positions, but it frequently involves closing your eyes and staying still. You can use your time during the MRI exam to practice meditation. Try closing your eyes and focusing on your breath or a particular calming thought.
HOW IS THE PROCEDURE PERFORMED? You will be asked to undress from the waist up and to wear a gown during the procedure. All patients having a breast MRI will have an intravenous line (a tiny hollow tube placed in a vein) that will be used for the administration of contrast material during the test.
Before the procedure, you can pump and store milk to feed your baby. Don't wear anything metallic during the MRI . Metallic objects, such as jewelry, hairpins and watches, can be damaged during an MRI . Leave metallic objects at home or remove them before your MRI .
You can eat prior to the exam and there are no limitations on what you can eat. We advise you drink water the day before your test and hydrate prior to your appointment, proper hydration assists us in finding your veins.
MRI Twice per Year May Be Better Than Annual Mammogram for Finding Early Breast Cancers in High-Risk Women. A study suggests that breast cancer screening with MRI twice per year is better than one mammogram per year for finding breast cancer early in young women with a high risk of breast cancer.
Breast MRI has more false positive results than mammography. A false positive result shows a possible breast cancer, even though breast cancer isn't present. The suspicious area must be checked with follow-up tests, and sometimes a biopsy, to be sure there's no breast cancer.
Since the MRI machines are magnets, it is best to not apply deodorants, antiperspirants, perfumes, or body lotions before the examination. These items contain metals that might interfere with the magnetic field inside the MRI machine and cause you to have distorted images and wrong results.
Breast MRI has been increasingly used for both the detection and characterization of breast cancer. Breast MRI remains the most sensitive modality for the detection of breast cancer, with a reported sensitivity ranging from 77% to 96%, higher than the sensitivity of either mammography or US (1–10).
You will change into scrubs or a gown. To ensure a safe exam, all clothing must be removed as well as the following: All outer clothing, including shoes. Bras or any under garment that could have metal in it.
make the patient comfortable • give clear instructions • create a relationship • be professional • set boundaries. When positioning a patient for a breast MRI, place the patient prone into the coil with their face down into the holder and their arms relaxed above their head without hands clasped together.
Radiologists recommend fasting prior to undergoing a CT or MRI with contrast because of the possible side effects of the contrast agents. While rare, side effects of contrast can cause nausea or vomiting during the test. Vomiting while lying down could cause food blockages in your airway, known as asphyxia.
Your comfort and safety is our priority
We will make sure you are as comfortable as possible for your exam. In most situations, we may provide you with a leg cushion that provides back support, a warm blanket, and even prism glasses that will allow you to see the room outside the bore of the magnet (toward your feet).
You will lie in the scanner on your front with your arms above your head, and your breasts will lay in a special coil, which is not tight like a mammogram. Your breasts need to be in the centre of the magnet, and you will go into the magnet feet-first.
The Morning of Your MRI
You will not be able to have breakfast the morning of your surgery. You can brush your teeth in the morning, just be sure to spit the water out!