Lourdes is pleased to remain on the cutting edge of cancer detection and diagnosis by offering Breast MR (Magnetic Resonance).  MR is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnets and radio waves to produce a picture of the inside of the body.  This test is not painful, and there is no harmful radiation involved.  It is usually done for breast cancer staging or for evaluating implants. 

MR is also useful in imaging dense breast tissue, which is often found in younger women, and in viewing breast abnormalities that can be felt but are not visible with conventional mammography or ultrasound.  In general, MR is a compliment to a diagnostic mammogram and does not replace screening mammography.  During an MR of the breast, the patient lies on her stomach on the scanning table.  The breast protrudes into a depression in the table, which contains coils that detect the magnetic signal.  The table is moved into a tube-like machine that contains the magnet.  After an initial series of images has been taken, the patient may be given a contrast agent intravenously (by injection into a vein).  The contrast agent is not radioactive; it is sometimes used to improve the visibility of the breast tissue.  Additional images are then taken.  The entire imaging session takes about 1 hour.

Although not a replacement for traditional mammography, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the breast is an evolving and growing imaging technique.  Breast MR is extremely helpful in evaluating mammographic abnormalities and identifying early breast cancer, especially in women at high risk.  High-risk women include those who have had breast cancer or have a mother or sister who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.  Breast MR is used most commonly in high-risk women when the findings of a mammogram or ultrasound are inconclusive because of dense breast tissue or there is a suspected abnormality that requires further evaluation.

A referral is needed for this procedure.  To determine if a breast MR is right for you, contact your health care provider.