MRI BREAST WITH CONTRAST
Also Known As
SENIOR
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FAMILY
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Certified Labs
NABH Accredited
Reports in
6hrs
Measures
No description available
Identifies
No identification information available
About The Test
What is MRI Breast with Contrast?
An MRI Breast with Contrast is a painless imaging test that uses a strong magnetic field, radio waves, and a safe dye called gadolinium to create highly detailed pictures of the inside of your breast. Unlike X-rays or CT scans, MRI does not use radiation.
How the scan creates detailed breast images
- You lie face-down on a cushioned table with openings for your breasts.
- A special breast coil surrounds the breast to boost signal clarity.
- Gadolinium is injected into a vein; it lights up abnormal areas on the scan.
- Powerful magnets capture hundreds of cross-sectional images in minutes.
List of Parameters
Parameter | What We Check | Why It Matters |
---|---|---|
Enhancement kinetics | How fast & how long an area lights up | Cancer often shows rapid “wash-in & wash-out” curves |
Lesion morphology | Shape, margins, internal pattern | Irregular spiculated edges raise suspicion |
Background enhancement | How much normal tissue lights up | High background can hide small cancers |
Why This Test
- Detect early breast cancer in dense tissue
- Accurate staging and treatment planning
- Monitoring for local recurrence after surgery or radiation
When to Take Test
Benefits
Benefits of MRI Breast with Contrast
- High sensitivity for lesions as small as 2–3 mm
- Zero radiation—safe for repeated use
- Complementary to mammography and ultrasound, not a replacement
Illnesses Diagnosed with MRI Breast with Contrast
- Invasive ductal carcinoma
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
- Paget’s disease of the breast
Preparing for test
- Fasting: None required; eat normally unless sedation is planned.
- Medications: Continue usual drugs; bring a list to review.
- Allergies & implants: Notify us of pacemakers, joint replacements, or prior contrast reactions.
- Menstrual timing: Premenopausal women should book days 7–14 of cycle for clearest images.
Pre-requisites
- Renal function test (eGFR) within 30 days
- Previous imaging (mammogram, ultrasound) for comparison
- Signed consent after explanation of risks and benefits
Best Time to Take MRI Breast with Contrast
- Days 7–14 after your period starts (lower hormone-related enhancement)
- At least 6 weeks after biopsy or surgery to reduce inflammation artefacts
Eligibility
- High-risk individuals ≥25 years
- BRCA carriers or first-degree relatives of carriers
- Ineligible if: eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m², pregnancy, documented gadolinium allergy
Procedure for MRI Breast with Contrast
- Positioning: Lie face-down; breasts fit into cushioned openings.
- IV line: Contrast is injected halfway through the scan.
- Scan sequences: Multiple 3–6 minute runs totalling 30–45 minutes.
- Monitoring: Intercom keeps you in touch; music is available on request.
Caution Before Taking the Test
- Remove all metal: Jewellery, watches, hairpins, credit cards with magnetic strips.
- Disclose implants: Cochlear, spinal stimulators, or older pacemakers may be contraindicated.
- Arrange a driver if you opt for oral sedation.
Test Results
Results and Interpretations of MRI Breast with Contrast
Finding / Observation | Description | General Interpretation / Significance |
---|---|---|
No enhancement | Tissue remains dark after contrast | Very low likelihood of malignancy |
Focal mass with rapid wash-out | Bright spot that fades quickly | Suspicious; may need biopsy |
Non-mass enhancement | Patchy, linear, or segmental bright areas | Could be DCIS; correlate with mammogram |
Simple cyst | Smooth, round, no enhancement | Benign; routine follow-up |
Change from Prior Studies | New lesions, size changes, or stability of previously noted findings. | Stability over time is reassuring. New or growing lesions may suggest malignancy and warrant further workup or biopsy. |
Lymph Node Status | Evaluation of size, shape, cortical thickness, and enhancement of axillary or internal mammary nodes. | Enlarged or abnormally shaped nodes may indicate metastasis or reactive changes. May require ultrasound or biopsy depending on risk profile. |
Implant Integrity | Assessment for rupture, extracapsular silicone, or other complications (if implants are present). | Identifies intracapsular vs extracapsular rupture, contracture, or implant displacement. MRI is gold standard for implant assessment. |
BI-RADS Category (0–6) | Standardized classification system guiding follow-up and management. | See detailed breakdown below. |
Risks & Limitations
- Contrast allergy: Rare (≈0.1%); tell us if you have prior reactions to dyes or shellfish.
- Kidney considerations: Gadolinium is removed by the kidneys; we’ll check your eGFR blood test first.
- False positives: MRI may highlight harmless spots, leading to extra tests.
- Claustrophobia: Our wide-bore machine and optional mild sedation keep you comfortable.
- Implant compatibility: Most modern implants are MRI-safe; we verify this beforehand.
FAQs
Is MRI breast with contrast painful?
No. You may feel a cool sensation when the dye is injected, but the scan itself is painless.
How soon will I get results?
Most patients receive their report the next working day.
Can I breastfeed after contrast?
Yes. Current guidelines say breastfeeding can continue normally; less than 0.04 % of gadolinium reaches breast milk.
What if a lesion is found?
Your doctor may recommend additional imaging, MRI-guided biopsy, or short-interval follow-up. Cadabams Diagnostics performs on-site biopsies for faster answers.
Is it covered by insurance?
Most policies cover medically-indicated MRI Breast with Contrast; our front-desk team assists with pre-authorisation.
What happens if an abnormality is found on my MRI Breast with Contrast?
Your doctor will discuss findings. The report includes a BI-RADS assessment. Recommendations include follow-up or biopsy, based on the category.