BREAST MRI

Breast MRI is now available in South Australia through Benson Radiology under the supervision of Dr Jill Robinson, a Specialist in Breast Imaging who has recently completed training in Breast MRI.

Breast MRI is a major new tool in the diagnosis of breast cancer, particularly in the following 3 major groups of women.  It is used in addition to Mammography or Breast Ultrasound.

• Women with an increased risk of breast cancer

It is able to detect over 95% of invasive breast cancers as small as 3mm (compared to mammography detection rates of 80% or approximately 70% for young women with dense breasts).

• Women with a diagnosis of breast cancer

MRI provides previously unavailable accurate staging information for the breast surgeon in regard to the size of the tumour and  the presence of other tumours in the same or other breast which have not been detected by mammography or ultrasound. It also provides staging information re lymph nodes, skin and chest structures.

• Women with breast implants

Mammography has historically been a very difficult area of imaging in women with silicone or saline implants as the breast tissue is obscured. This has been a major concern for this group of patients. Breast MRI is able to demonstrate breast implants and surrounding breast tissue equally well. It is very accurate in demonstrating implant rupture.