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Magnetic resonance breast imaging (MRI, MR) has been available in the U.S. since the early 90s for use as a supplemental tool, to assist physicians in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Breast MRI is an excellent problem-solving technology. It is often used to investigate breast concerns first detected with mammography, physical exam, or other imaging exams.

MRI is useful for staging breast cancer, helping to determine the most appropriate treatment, monitoring treatment, and for patient follow-up after breast cancer treatment. Additionally, MRI is excellent for imaging the augmented breast, including the breast implant itself and breast tissue surrounding the implant. (Abnormalities or signs of breast cancer can sometimes be obscured by the implant on a mammogram.)

Researchers and clinicians are currently investigating whether breast MRI may be useful in screening young women with a high risk of breast cancer. MRI screening may be helpful because it provides an effective tool for accurately imaging dense breast tissue commonly found in younger women.

A recent study conducted researchers at NYU School of Medicine and published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine³ found that combining PET imaging with MRI imaging can provide valuable diagnostic information for the detection of primary and recurrent breast cancer. The study noted that method substantially increased the specificity of MRI images in the group of patients analyzed in the NYU research. Increased specificity of MRI, the study noted, could potentially spare a patient from more invasive procedures, such as fine-needle aspiration, biopsy, or resection, as well as avoid follow-up examinations.

³Improving Specificity of Breast MRI Using Prone PET and Fused MRI and PET 3D Volume Datasets, L. Moy, F. Ponzo, M. E. Noz, G. Q. Maguire, Jr., A. D. Murphy-Walcott, A. E. Deans, M. T. Kitazono, L. Travascio, and E. L. Kramer, J Nucl Med 48: 528-537.

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