MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a type of body scan which is used widely in the medical investigation of many different types of soft tissue including breast. The machine obtains its information by using strong magnets and does not use any form of radiation
Breast MRI can be useful in younger patients being treated for breast cancer as X-rays alone may not give clear information about breast tissue. It may also be used in screening young patients who have not got breast cancer but may be at a higher risk of developing it if they have been found to have a mutation in a breast cancer susceptibility gene. MRI can be used where the size of a tumour is not clear using X-ray and ultrasound, and also for a particular type of breast cancer called lobular breast cancer.
Patients will need to be able to lie on their front to have a breast MRI, with the procedure normally taking about 45 minutes to one hour. An injection into a vein is often given half way through the scan to allow as much information as possible to be obtained from the scan. This will all be explained to you before the scan by a radiographer who will also check that there are no reasons not to have the scan (such as having a heart pacemaker).
Results will usually be sent to me within a few days of the MRI being carried out. We will have discussed how we deliver these results to you at your consultation before the MRI is carried out.
Discussion with Mr McIntosh is important to answer any questions that you may have. For information about any additional conditions not featured within the site, please contact us for more information.
