1098.1 – Review of Interim Funded Service: Breast MRI

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MRI uses a strong external magnetic field to produce images of biological tissues. As breast tissue generally has similar signal intensity to tumour tissue on routine MRI, the intravenous administration of a contrast agent containing gadolinium chelate is used to enhance breast lesions. During the examination the patient lies prone on the MRI table with the breast dependant in the dedicated breast coil. A number of imaging sequences are obtained, prior to the administration of the contrast agent gadolinium. The MRI sequences obtained are interpreted by a radiologist to analyse the findings on the various sequences, including enhancement patterns. The aim is to distinguish between normal, benign and malignant findings. MRI can be used in both screening and diagnosis of breast cancer. This includes the identification of breast cancer in women with a high risk of breast cancer due to family history or genetic predisposition. Breast MRI is also used in preoperative staging, evaluating response to treatment, screening of women with breast augmentation or reconstruction and identification of occult breast cancer in women with metastatic disease.

Breast cancer in asymptomatic women with a high risk of developing breast cancer.

• PASC meeting: 1 to 2 December 2011
• ESC meeting: 13 to 14 February 2014
• MSAC meeting: 3 to 4 April 2014