Question 1

does a breast mri hurt?

Accepted Answer

Maybe uncomfortable: I have had a breast MRI and the procedure was not painful.  It was slightly uncomfortable because you are face down with your breasts in a hole.  You will have an IV placed in order to get the contrast.
All in all, it was not bad.

Question 2

how accurate are breast mri's?

Accepted Answer

Pro's N Con's: Breast MRI is more sensitive than mammograms for finding breast cancer, but at a significant cost, both financial & finding 'false alarms' which often require biopsy. Overall, current indications are limited to women at very high risk for ca, checking for implant rupture, preoperative surgical planning, and follow-up of some cancer survivors.

Question 3

how can i find breast mri facility?

Accepted Answer

Ask your doctor: Bmris are primarily indicated for "in breast" staging of newly diagnosed patients and screening of high risk patients.  In both cases, there is likely indication for involvement of a breast surgeon who will know who does good quality breast MRI imaging in your area.

Question 4

how is a breast mri typically performed?

Accepted Answer

Face-down: A breast MRI is performed with patients laying on their stomach, allowing gravity to move the breast tissue away from the chest wall through a hole cut out of the table.  This is performed with the injection of an intravenous dye to help differentiate benign lumps from cancers.

Question 5

should i start worrying if dr ordered breast mri?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily: Bmris are used for "in breast" staging of newly diagnosed cancer and also as an adjunct to mammograms for screening of high risk women.  You would obviously know if you fell into the first category.  Talk with your doctor if you think you feel it may be the 2nd.  You may benefit from evaluation by a breast surgeon.

Question 6

do you get the results of a breast mri immediately?

Accepted Answer

Not typically: There are hundreds of images to review and careful correlation to perform with prior studies. I would give your breast specialist one-two days for the reading and then call the ordering provider to discuss results.

Question 7

breast mri effectiveness? is a mri the most effective breast imaging test?

Accepted Answer

Breast : Breast MRI is an amazing technology that is very effective at detecting and characterizing breast lesions. In a general screening population, the sensitivity of mammography at detecting breast cancer ranges from 45% to 90% (translation - in 100 women with breast cancer, mammography will detect between 45 to 90 cancers).  Studies evaluating the sensitivity of breast MRI detecting breast cancer report between 70% to 100% sensitivity. However, similar to mammography, false positive reports of cancer are not uncommon. Breast MRI is also extremely expensive compared to mammography. Currently, breast MRI is generally only recommended in patients with certain risk factors or for evaluation of previously identified breast masses.  A study published in the new england journal of medicine comparing the sensitivity of tumor detection in women with an inherited susceptibility to breast cancer demonstrated that the sensitivity of breast MRI was 80% versus 33% for mammography.

Question 8

already diagnosed w/stageiv idc. breast mri suggests inflamatory bc. is that possible?

Accepted Answer

It is: Anything is possible, but a tissue diagnosis is needed, usually with a biopsy of some sort.  If that shows an inflammatory cancer, then chemotherapy and RT is usually recommended first.  The waiting is the hardest part, but your doctor has a methodical approach to get the answers.  Take a deep breath, hang in there and good luck.

Question 9

length of time for breast mri? i have to get a mri next week to look more closely at my breasts - how long do they usually take?

Accepted Answer

A : A breast MRI study usually takes between 45 and 60 minutes. After an IV has been started, the MRI technologist will position you lying face down on the MRI table. The table then slides into the MRI magnet which looks like a cylindrical tube/doughnut. The MRI technologist will then provide you with instructions and updates via an intercom speaker. The MRI magnet is quite noisy and earplugs should be offered to you. During a portion of the exam, intravenous contrast will be injected via the IV tubing. After the procedure is over, the images will be sent to the radiologist for review and a report should be sent to doctor within about two working days.

Question 10

what do hyperintense signals in breast mri mean?

Accepted Answer

Usually benign: Glandular tissue and cysts can do this and are most often seen when the MRI is done later in the menstrual cycle. Concerning findings are masses that get bright with contrast and have other features that suggest cancer.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Aurora breast mri

A member asked:

Does a breast mri hurt?

A member asked:

How accurate are breast mri's?

A member asked:

How can i find breast mri facility?

A member asked:

How is a breast mri typically performed?

A member asked:

Should i start worrying if dr ordered breast mri?

A member asked:

Do you get the results of a breast mri immediately?

A member asked:

Breast mri effectiveness? is a mri the most effective breast imaging test?

A member asked:

Already diagnosed w/stageiv idc. breast mri suggests inflamatory bc. is that possible?

A member asked:

Length of time for breast mri? i have to get a mri next week to look more closely at my breasts - how long do they usually take?

A member asked:

What do hyperintense signals in breast mri mean?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?