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Q.
What is the cost of Breast MRI?
A.
MRI is expensive relative to other imaging methods. The study is a complete examination of each breast, and each is charged separately. Depending upon your insurance type and coverage, you may have to pay several hundred dollars, but individual cost may vary.
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Q.
Is the MRI painful?
A.
No. A breast MRI is not painful, however you will be lying down on your stomach for 30 to 45 minutes. Your head will be supported on a cushion and breathing comfortably will not be an issue. Unlike mammography, there is no breast compression in MRI.
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Q.
Will I have an IV?
A.
Yes. All breast MRI patients will have a small IV for contrast administration.
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Q.
Is my head inside the MRI tunnel?
A.
Yes. Your breasts need to be positioned at the center of the magnet. When positioned, the lower half of your body is usually outside of the magnet. While inside, you may listen to your choice of music.
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Q.
How will I be positioned in the MRI tunnel?
A.
You will be positioned face down on your stomach with your breasts suspended. Your forehead will be supported, so your breathing is not an issue. A pillow will be placed under your lower legs for comfort.
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Q.
How long will it take for my doctor to receive my results?
A.
Most often, results will be sent to your doctor by the end of the day, or the following morning. Due to the enormous amount of image data, and the need of special computers to analyze it, there are no stat or immediate results available.
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Q.
How often can I have Breast MRI?
A.
Typically, one or two breast MRIs may be performed to solve a particular problem over a one-year period. Even if you have a negative or normal breast MRI, you should continue to have annual screening mammography. Breast MRI is not used for all breast problems, and insurance carriers have strict criteria that must be met to approve the study. Discuss this with your physician.
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Q.
What can I expect during my Breast MRI?
A.
Once your MRI is scheduled, you will receive a confirmation call in advance of your appointment to discuss your procedure and answer any questions you may have. During this call you will be instructed to bring prior mammogram films. The Breast MRI will not be performed if your mammogram films are not available for the radiologist as they are crucial in the interpretation of your scan. Once you have arrived, and filled out applicable paperwork, a Raleigh MRI staff member will review the procedure with you. A technologist will escort you to a dressing booth where you will change into a comfortable gown. A small IV will be placed in your arm by a technologist. You will be positioned face down on your stomach with your breasts suspended. Your forehead will be supported, so your breathing is not an issue. When positioned, the lower half of your body is usually outside of the magnet. A pillow will be placed under your lower legs for comfort. You will breathe normally throughout the exam. The technologist will speak to you before and after each MRI sequence. Once the exam is completed, the IV will be removed and you will be free to dress and leave. The images from your Breast MRI exceed a thousand in number, therefore the radiologist will be unable to share any results with you at the time of your visit. Your results will be made available to your ordering physician later the same day, or by the next morning at the very latest.
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Q.
What is MRI guided breast lesion localization?
A.
This is a special examination in MRI to place a small clip or wire near a lesion that is to be followed over the next year, or surgically removed. The procedure and experience are the same as a regular breast MRI, but the examination is longer. During the procedure, a physician will anesthetize the skin overlying a breast lesion, gently insert a small needle close to the lesion, and then release a small marker into the breast to designate the location of the abnormality. Typically the patient leaves with only a small band-aid on the breast and no significant pain. No special pain medications are provided, and the procedure is typically quite easily tolerated.
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