Breast MRI

Advanced Imaging of Port Charlotte is pleased to offer Breast MRI as one of our state-of-the-art procedures in our Women’s Center. You will find Advanced Imaging of Port Charlotte offers equipment and services that no other local facility offers! As a matter of fact, we are the only facility in Charlotte County to have the double-breasted MRI coil. This means the Breast MRI views both breasts at the same time!

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the breast has been evolving over the past decade and is now emerging as an important clinical tool that will revolutionize the way we diagnose, stage, and treat breast cancer. MRI is a highly sensitive imaging modality to detect malignancy within the breast and unlike mammography uses NO RADIATION. Radio frequency waves capture a three dimensional image of the breast after injection of an intravenous contrast agent called gadolinium. The gadolinium is taken up in areas of the breast where there is increased blood flow. Malignant tumors are known to exhibit an increased number of blood vessels and therefore will enhance on MRI. If there is a suspicious area of enhancement we can then sample the area using a minimally invasive needle biopsy technique which is performed under MRI guidance.

An important advantage of Breast MRI is that it excels in detecting small breast cancers in women with dense breasts, augmented breasts, and breasts that have undergone breast conservation with radiation therapy. Mammography can fail to detect up to 40% of breast cancers in women with dense mammographic patterns. In this situation, particularly for women who are at increased risk due to family history or atypical changes in the breast, MRI can make a difference.

The Breast MRI is covered by insurance if you have had an abnormal mammogram or a non-conclusive mammogram. If this is a non-covered service through your insurance carrier please call our office for pricing. A physician’s order is required for this exam.

To schedule this exam, please contact Advanced Imaging of Port Charlotte at 941.235.4646.