You Do Have A Choice, Choose Mid-Michigan Breast MRI & Biopsy Center

Mid-Michigan Breast MRI & Biopsy Center is the specialty services provided at Greater Flint MRI Center.  Since 2006, our trained staff has been performing Breast MRIs in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the American College of Radiology (ACR).  Our Medical Director,  Dr. Linda Lawrence, is fellowship trained in Women’s Imaging and a Board Certified Radiologist.

Our staff and physicians cater to the needs and concerns of each individual Breast MRI patient.   Our exclusive technology allows Technologists and Radiologists to view breast images, unilateral and bilaterally, in rotational 3D- providing the clearest and most comprehensive images for MRI Guided Breast Biopsy using the Mammotome® System.

Breast MRI is a secondary screening method to mammography.  The Radiologist who read your mammogram will recommend a Breast MRI to your primary care physician for one or more of the reasons listed below.

Who needs a Breast MRI?

• Patients considered high risk for breast cancer, this includes:
  • Patients with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation
  • Family history on either maternal or paternal side,
  • A diagnosed first degree relative (mother/father, sibling or child).
  • A lifetime risk of 20-25% or greater (as determined by primary physician)
  • Patients who received radiation therapy, to the chest, between the ages of 10-30 years

• Patients with inconclusive or abnormal mammogram.  Whether you are establishing a base-line or watching suspicious masses, early detection is the best prevention.
  Why?  Breast MRI scans include the chest wall and lymph node regions, and the use of contrast agent allows for earlier detection of possible cancerous growth by mapping blood flow.  When a Biopsy is needed, it is done onsite and on-table using the Mammotome® Vacuum Biopsy System.
• Patients with saline, silicone, or gel breast implants
  Why?  Mammography is difficult in patients with implants, and better images are produced with MRI.  Furthermore, the integrity of silicone implants can be determined by non-contrast MRI.
• Patients with extremely dense breasts or unevenly dense breast tissue, when viewed by mammogram:
  Why?  Patients having a Breast MRI lay face down on a Breast Array Coil and their breasts are suspended through openings in the coil.  Our Open Bore MRI scans the breast without applying pressure.  A contrast agent is used to better visualize the blood flow- increased blood flow is an indicator of possible cancerous formations.
• Patients with previous or newly diagnosed breast cancer.
  Why?  MRI is useful in determining the extent of disease more accurately than standard mammogram and physical examination, in many patients.  Furthermore, Breast MRI includes both breasts and can determine presence, or early indications, in the other (contralateral) breast.

Recommendations of the American Cancer Society (ACS)-

• MRI uses magnetic fields instead of x-rays to produce very detailed, cross-sectional images of the body.  The most useful MRI exams for breast imaging use a contrast material (gadolinium) that is injected into a small vein in the arm before or during the exam.  This improves the ability of the MRI to capture detailed images of breast tissue.
• The ACS recommends that patient having screening MRIs use facilities that are capable of performing an MRI-guided breast biopsy to prevent repeat procedures and for continuity of care.  Mid-Michigan Breast MRI & Biopsy Center uses the Mammotome® Vacuum Biopsy System.
• In 2007, an expert panel convened by the Society reported new recommendations for the use of MRI for women at increased risk for breast cancer.  The panel recommended annual screening using MRI in addition to mammography for women at a high lifetime risk (20-25% greater) of the disease.

Recommendations of the American College of Radiology (ACR)-

• MRI of the breast is a useful tool for the detection and characterization of breast disease, assessment of local extent of disease, evaluation of treatment response, and guidance for biopsy and localization.
• Although there is no direct evidence that screening with MRI will reduce mortality, it is thought that early detection by using annual MRI as surveillance, in addition to mammography, may be useful.

At Greater Flint MRI and Mid-Michigan Breast MRI & Biopsy Center, we use evidence-based facts to educate our patients, physicians and community.