MRI Guided Breast Biopsy
Breast MRI has become an important tool in diagnosing and staging breast cancer. The radiologists at Hastings Imaging Center have the most experience performing breast MRI's in the region. Hastings Imaging Center is the first location between Lincoln and Denver to perform MRI-guided breast biopsies.
Lumps or abnormalities in the breast are often detected by physical examination, mammography, or other imaging studies. However, it is not always possible to tell from these imaging tests whether a growth is benign or cancerous. A breast biopsy is performed to remove some cells from a suspicious area in the breast and examine them under a microscope to determine a diagnosis.
In an MRI-guided breast biopsy, magnetic resonance imaging is used to help guide the radiologist’s instruments to the site of the abnormal growth. It is most helpful when MR imaging shows a breast abnormality such as:
- A suspicious mass not identified by other imaging techniques
- An area of distortion
- An area of abnormal tissue change
The Procedure
- You will lie face down on the padded scanning table and the affected breast or breasts will be positioned into openings in the table.
- The MRI technologist or nurse will insert an IV line into a vein in the hand or arm. After an initial series of scans, contrast material will be injected through the IV.
- Your breast will be gently compressed between two compression plates, one of which is marked with a grid structure. Using computer software, the radiologist measures the position of the lesion with respect to the grid and calculates the position and depth of the needle placement.
- The skin in the area to be biopsied is cleaned with betadine.
- A local anesthetic will be injected into the breast to numb it.
- A very small nick is made in the skin at the site where the biopsy needle is to be inserted.
- The radiologist then inserts the needle, advances it to the location of the abnormality and MR imaging is performed to verify its position.
- With a vacuum-assisted device, vacuum pressure is used to pull tissue from the breast through the needle into the sampling chamber.
- After this sampling, the needle will be removed.
- A small marker may be place at the site so that it can be located in the future, if necessary.
- One the biopsy is complete, pressure will be applied to stop any bleeding and the opening in the skin will be closed with Steri-strips. No sutures are needed.
- When the exam is done, you will then recover in a comfortable recliner.
- A mammogram may be performed to confirm that the marker is in the proper position.
- Before leaving the office, you’ll be given instructions for biopsy aftercare that are specific to your individual needs. Your breast should heal quickly, leaving almost no sign of the procedure.
- This procedure is usually completed within 45 minutes.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PROCEDURE
- Usually MRI guided breast biopsies need to be scheduled on a different day than the initial diagnostic breast MRI.
- We will need a list of your current medications. Some medications (such as aspirin or Coumadin) will need to be stopped several days ahead of time. The nurse will inform you of the medications that need to be discontinued and the appropriate length of time.
- Please notify the nurse or technologist if you are allergic to local anesthetic or latex.
- Wear a two-piece outfit, if possible, since you’ll be asked to undress to the waist.
- Wear or bring a comfortable bra that provides firm support.
Risks
This is typically a safe procedure. However, as with all procedures where the skin is pierced, certain risks do exist and may include bruising, infection or hematoma (pooling of blood trapped inside the biopsy area). When one or more of these complications occur, they usually resolve within a brief period of time with the proper medical attention. .
These tissue samples are sent to the pathologist at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital for review. The patient’s healthcare provider will receive a pathology report several days after the biopsy and will review the results with the patient
>> Learn about Breast MRI
