Breast MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging of the breast (breast MRI), commonly used for dense breasts, is a highly accurate imaging modality for detecting early breast cancer and other abnormalities without using excess radiation. It’s often used alongside digital mammograms and digital breast tomosynthesis to offer detailed visualization of breast lesion margins. 

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The National Comprehensive Cancer Network has published new patient-friendly breast cancer screening guidelines

The new guidelines put emphasis on the age at which average-risk women should begin annual screening and breast assessments.

Example of various breast MRI protocol sequences that offer different types of soft tissue enhancement. Imaging performed on a Siemens Magnetom system. Breast MRI can help see through dense breast tissue to better detect cancers. #densebreasts #Breastdensity #BreastMRI

Abbreviated breast MRI protocols not as cost-effective as promised, new study shows

Experts found that although abbreviated protocols increased the amount of possible scans per hour from 4.7 to 18.8, non-scanning time rose from 50% to 74%.

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CEM vs breast MRI: Which is best for assessing treatment response?

A recent analysis of 51 patients revealed that contrast-enhanced mammography and MRI offered comparable assessments of lesion size, and both had similar specificity for pathologic complete response.

Example of various breast MRI protocol sequences that offer different types of soft tissue enhancement. Imaging performed on a Siemens Magnetom system. Breast MRI can help see through dense breast tissue to better detect cancers. #densebreasts #Breastdensity #BreastMRI

Contrast enhanced breast MRI superior to CEM, but accessibility remains an obstacle

In addition to CE-MRI's increased sensitivity for identifying breast cancers, the researchers also found the modality had superior negative likelihood ratios with higher pre-test probabilities for safely ruling out malignancy. 

Example of various breast MRI protocol sequences that offer different types of soft tissue enhancement. Imaging performed on a Siemens Magnetom system. Breast MRI can help see through dense breast tissue to better detect cancers. #densebreasts #Breastdensity #BreastMRI

MRI-based radiomics boosts triple-negative breast cancer detection

"The present study validated the feasibility of using MRI-based radiomics to identify a disease prone to missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis," experts involved in the study said.

breast cancer screening mammography

Imaging features predict survival in patients with luminal breast cancer

Researchers have developed a prediction model that takes into account both imaging (post-NAC breast MRI) and clinical-pathologic features when forecasting patients' overall survival.

An example of a mammogram with some dense breast tissue that was deemed to not have cancer, and molecular breast imaging (MBI) study of the same women showing increased metabolic activity in the dense area, revealing a caner. Image from Mayo Clinic.

Mayo Clinic offers new guidance on supplemental screening of women with dense breasts

There are not yet consensus-based guidelines available for screening women with dense breast tissue, so researchers at Mayo Clinic recently developed a set of recommendations regarding supplemental screening. 

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Breast MRI screening cuts cancer mortality rates in half for women with lesser-known gene mutations

Women with ATM, CHEK2 and PALB2 gene mutations would benefit from beginning MRI screenings earlier than previously recommended, experts reported in JAMA Oncology.

Around the web

Positron, a New York-based nuclear imaging company, will now provide Upbeat Cardiology Solutions with advanced PET/CT systems and services. 

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.