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PIC now offers true bilateral breast MRI thanks to a recent upgrade to one of its scanners. The Vibrant technology that came with the recent $750,000.00 GE Excite upgrade allows diagnostic imaging of both breasts in one visit. Previously, MRI could only be done on one breast at a time, necessitating two scheduled appointments for PIC patients.

MRI image with color enhancement view on the Dynacad workstation demonstrates a left breast lesion

A new Dynacad workstation and its imaging software along with a new 8 channel breast coil work in conjuction with the upgrade to allow PIC to get the images.

Unlike conventional x-ray examinations and computed tomography (CT) scans, MRI does not depend on radiation. Instead, radio waves are directed at protons, the nuclei of hydrogen atoms, in a strong magnetic field.

The magnetic field is produced by passing an electric current through wire coils in the MRI unit. Other coils, such as the breast coils placed around each breast, send and receive radio waves. As you lie in the MRI machine, radio waves are directed at the protons in your body. In the magnetic field, protons change their position, producing signals that are detected by coils within the MRI unit.

A computer processes these signals and generates a three-dimensional representation of your body. Each image shows a thin horizontal slice of the breast tissue. A computer compiles the images, which can be studied from many different angles on a video monitor for evaluation. MRI scans produce hundreds of images that the radiologist reads and interprets.

Bilateral MRI of the breast has several uses, including:

• Detection of breast implant rupture
• Surgical planning for women with newly diagnosed or suspected breast cancer
• Monitoring treatment response for patients receiving preoperative chemotherapy

• A limited screening tool women who are at high risk breast cancer and are referred from genetic counseling