The Center for Diagnostic Imaging Explains Why Breast MRIs Are an Effective Diagnostic Tool for Women
MIAMI, March 30, 2019 (Newswire.com) - Women who have a 20 percent lifetime risk of getting breast cancer are sometimes recommended to receive a breast MRI along with a screening mammogram. Doctors usually suggest MRIs to women who are already diagnosed with breast cancer. This procedure is performed to measure the size and extent of the breast cancer in order to follow the right treatment.
A breast MRI in Miami should not be used in place of a breast biopsy to differentiate between benign and malignant tumors. An MRI is able to detect tumors in dense breast tissue but having dense breasts does not necessitate a breast MRI scan. There are certain tiny calcifications which account for half of the breast cancers and these are usually detected through mammography.
An insight into breast MRIs
Breast MRIs are just like the diagnostic mammograms that require specially designed equipment. This type of MRI machine consists of dedicated breast coils. There are only certain hospitals and labs that have this type of special equipment. So if someone is planning an MRI screening, they should go to a facility that has dedicated equipment that can perform an MRI-guided breast biopsy.
Instead of radiation, an MRI uses a magnetic field to generate cross-sectional pictures of the body. An MRI takes pictures of a patient's breasts from different angles: from the side, the front and above the head. Thus, it is able to take images of the soft tissues which are sometimes difficult to detect with other imaging tests.
How to get ready for the test
It is important for patients to determine whether their insurance company will approve an MRI scan, as they can be expensive to receive. Many insurance companies pay for mammogram tests, including an MRI exam if a woman has been diagnosed with a high risk of breast cancer.
Patients need to follow certain instructions given by their doctor before undergoing a scan. Usually, they are not supposed to follow any diet or preparation plan before receiving an MRI, however, there are certain things that they should be aware of before getting an MRI.
If patients have problems with claustrophobia, they may need to take a sedative before the MRI as it will help them relax while they are in a scanner. Talking with a patient counselor or a lab attendant can also help people relax before an MRI scan.
In some MRI centers in Miami, the test is conducted in an open space that gives more room around the body, thus making the procedure more relaxed for people.
About CDI: The center is owned and operated by a team of board-certified physicians and staff determined to be South Florida's premier imaging series. CDI is dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of the community through the use of the most highly advanced technology and techniques currently available within the imaging industry. As a premier imaging center in Miami, CDI offers CT scans in Miami, mammograms in Miami and MRIs in Miami Beach.
Source: The Center for Diagnostic Imaging