What to ask before you go for your breast MRI exam. Make certain the center that is performing your study is using the best methods available to get the best MRI exam possible.

We felt it important to publish this information, because we know of places that are interested in doing the best exam possible, and others not-so-much. If it were our family members and friends who went for the breast MRI exam, we would want you to have the best study possible, available. This is important in finding early detection through your MRI breast procedure.

(By January 1, 2012, all centers doing Breast MRI supposedly will be required to be ACR accredited, or they will not qualify for Medicare or insurance reimbursement, which means they will not get paid.)

ASK THESE QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU GO:

1) Is their facility ACR (American College of Radiology) accredited? Is the accreditation current or has it expired? (By January 1, 2012, all centers doing Breast MRI supposedly will be required to be ACR accredited, or they will not qualify for Medicare or insurance reimbursement, which means they will not get paid.)
_____Yes ____No

2) Do they use a dedicated breast MRI coil (antenna) with multiple channels?

_____Yes ____No (If no, find another center.)

3) Are their technologists ARRT registered for Magnetic Resonance? (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists who have taken and passed the MRI national board exam.)

_____Yes _____No

4) What is the slice thickness they use for the dynamic breast MRI study portion? (The thinner the better, but 2mm is maximum slice thickness. Anything under 1mm is very good.)

_____Yes _____No

5) Does the center use a 3D post processing system, (such as Aurora, Confirma, DynaCad or Aegis BRIGHT?)

_____Yes _____No

6) Is the breast MRI exam being performed on a 1.5T field strength system or stronger?

_____Yes _____No

If you get an answer of YES to all the questions above, the center you are having your breast exam done at is most likely using the latest procedures, products, and methods available. If you get an answer of NO to 2 out of the 6 questions, it is probably in your best interest to find a better center, and get the best study you can get for your money elsewhere. This is what as experts would recommend to our families and friends.