MR Guided Breast Needle-Core Biopsy
Lumps or abnormalities in the breast are often detected by physical examinations or imaging tests, such as mammography, ultrasound or MRI. However, it is not always possible to tell from these imaging tests whether a growth is benign or malignant.
A breast biopsy is performed to remove some tissue, either surgically or through a less invasive procedure involving a hollow needle, from a suspicious area in the breast in order to examine the tissue under a microscope to determine a diagnosis.
A MR-guided breast needle core biopsy is performed when the abnormal area in the breast is not felt during a physical exam, making it difficult to locate the lesion by hand (called palpation) or if it has not been seen by mammography or ultrasound.
In MR-guided breast biopsy, magnetic resonance imaging is used to help guide the interventional radiologist to the site of the abnormal growth. It is not designed to remove the entire lesion, but a very small lesion may be removed in the process of the biopsy.
Our team of expert physicians, nurses and technologists is headed by Rola Saouaf, MD, chief of Body MRI.
What Are Some Common Uses of the Procedure?
An MR-guided breast needle core biopsy is most helpful when MR imaging shows a breast abnormality such as:
- A suspicious mass not identified by other imaging techniques
- A region of abnormal enhancement
An MRI of the breasts
The S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center provides a full range of advanced imaging, both radiology and cardiology, as well as interventional radiology and interventional tumor (oncology) treatments to the greater Los Angeles area, including Beverly Hills, Encino, Mid-Cities, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Silver Lake, Studio City, Toluca Lake and West Hollywood.