St. Francis Medical Center offers new MRI service for breast examinations
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
St. Francis Medical Center has announced the availability of a new tool for female patients.
The Trenton-based hospital is now offering patients MRI breast examinations to follow mammograms, a method that uses less compression than screenings and can help provide guidance to doctors in the event a biopsy needs to be performed. The breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan uses powerful magnets and radio waves that work to create images of the breast and surrounding tissue, according to the National Institute of Health, and the machine does not use radiation.
Accredited by the American College of Radiology, hospital officials say the MRI scanner could be recommended by doctors if a mammogram turns up an abnormal result. However, the MRI procedure is not a screening tool, and patients must still have a mammogram first, according to the medical center.
“It is critical to have the latest in technology to best serve our community,” said Dr. Ethan Tarasov, medical director of radiology at the medical center. “We are pleased to provide this MRI service as an alternative to invasive surgery to our patients.”
According to a release from St. Francis, MRI guidance could allow for a minimally invasive biopsy if a problem is detected. It can also prove helpful if a mammogram of a dense breast is difficult to analyze.
According to a report from the National Institute of Health, a breast MRI may be performed to check for cancer after a diagnosis, distinguish between tumors and scar tissue, evaluate a breast lump, investigate after an abnormal mammogram result is returned, check for the potential rupture of implants, assess the presence of any cancer following surgery or chemotherapy or evaluate blood flow and vessels in the breast area.
Much like other MRIs, patients undergoing this procedure will lie on a padded table as a large machine conducts scans of the body. For the breast MRI test, patients will be positioned face-down on a device called a “breast coil,” which is designed to better image the breast.
“Unlike mammography, MRI does not use vigorous compression,” a statement from the hospital reads.
The entire process takes roughly an hour, and is managed by female technicians who work to ensure the comfort of the patient throughout.
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St. Francis Medical Center has announced the availability of a new tool for female patients.
The Trenton-based hospital is now offering patients MRI breast examinations to follow mammograms, a method that uses less compression than screenings and can help provide guidance to doctors in the event a biopsy needs to be performed. The breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan uses powerful magnets and radio waves that work to create images of the breast and surrounding tissue, according to the National Institute of Health, and the machine does not use radiation.
Accredited by the American College of Radiology, hospital officials say the MRI scanner could be recommended by doctors if a mammogram turns up an abnormal result. However, the MRI procedure is not a screening tool, and patients must still have a mammogram first, according to the medical center.
“It is critical to have the latest in technology to best serve our community,” said Dr. Ethan Tarasov, medical director of radiology at the medical center. “We are pleased to provide this MRI service as an alternative to invasive surgery to our patients.”
According to a release from St. Francis, MRI guidance could allow for a minimally invasive biopsy if a problem is detected. It can also prove helpful if a mammogram of a dense breast is difficult to analyze.
According to a report from the National Institute of Health, a breast MRI may be performed to check for cancer after a diagnosis, distinguish between tumors and scar tissue, evaluate a breast lump, investigate after an abnormal mammogram result is returned, check for the potential rupture of implants, assess the presence of any cancer following surgery or chemotherapy or evaluate blood flow and vessels in the breast area.
Much like other MRIs, patients undergoing this procedure will lie on a padded table as a large machine conducts scans of the body. For the breast MRI test, patients will be positioned face-down on a device called a “breast coil,” which is designed to better image the breast.
“Unlike mammography, MRI does not use vigorous compression,” a statement from the hospital reads.
The entire process takes roughly an hour, and is managed by female technicians who work to ensure the comfort of the patient throughout.