Frequently Asked Questions About Breast MRI

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Is a Breast MRI Scan an alternative to Mammography?

• Breast MRI Scanning is an adjunct to Mammography. It provides additional information to compliment to Mammogram. It is not an alternative to, or replacement for Mammograms.
• The hope is that such non-invasive studies will contribute to our progress in learning how to predict the behavior of tumors, and in selecting proper treatments. Breast MRI is and evolving technology and is not a replacement for standard screening and diagnostic procedures (clinical self exams, mammogram, fine needle aspiration or biopsy).

What does a Breast MRI Scan show?

• The recent interest in MRI of the breast follows reports that many malignant lesions get brighter following the intravenous administration of a contrast agent. MRI has been shown to detect small breast cancer lesions that are sometimes missed by mammography, and MRI can successfully image the dense breast (usually found in younger women) for underlying and unsuspected breast cancers. Breast implants may be evaluated faster, safer, and with less patient discomfort.
• Cancer involving the margins of breast masses may be better visualized with Breast MRI. The extent of breast cancer may be underestimated with mammography. One in three women will have their surgical planning altered based upon the results of the Breast MRI Scan. Proper surgical planning should result in a better outcome for the patient.
• The shape and vascular enhancement pattern of lesions can be analyzed. In very dense breasts, lesions may be more readily detected than by other imaging exams.

Why is the Aurora Breast MRI system better?

• Some MRI manufacturers have tried to adapt their general MRI scanners to allow for Breast MRI Imaging. The Aurora scanner has been specifically designed to optimally visualize breast tissue and underlying lesions. No other MRI Scanner can make this claim.
• The system design offers the patient increased comfort, less claustrophobia, and faster examination time. Added benefits include single visit for bilateral breast examination and more convenience for the patient. The same MRI test on other general-purpose MRI scanners may require performance on two separate visits, with two intravenous injections, an increased cost to the patient, based on the limitations of technology with a retrofitted breast MRI coil.

What will the Patient experience during an examination?

• For an AURORA MRI of the breast, the patient lies on her stomach with both breast hanging freely into a cushioned recess containing the signal receiver. The entire bed on which she is lying is advanced, feet first, into the opening of the magnet (a tube-like machine that looks like a giant donut-open at both ends. The patient will be asked to lie still while the computer acquires the images. A small amount of clear contrast agent will be administered. The total examination is made of several scans, and the patient is usually in the magnet for up to 30 minutes for a bilateral exam.
• The AURORA designed patient table features ample room above and below the breast plate, comfortably accommodating patients weighing up to 500 pounds (227 kilograms), enabling feet-first entry and allowing the patient’s breasts to be suspended away from the chest wall. These unique patient-friendly design innovations avoid the claustrophobia associated with typical MRI studies, and significantly reduce the stress and anxiety that often accompany mammograms. At the same time, the design of the AURORA’s patient table ensures full accessibility to the breast anatomy.