The efficacy of MRI as an adjuvant to traditional mammography

The objective of our study is to assess the utility of breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) when used for indications other than those published in peer-reviewed studies. A retrospective chart review was conducted of the records of 588 women who underwent both mammography and breast MRI. Patients excluded from the study were those who had breast MRI for accepted indications based on published peer-review studies. Included on the study were the remaining 122 patients. An evaluation was then made in each case as to whether the MRI finding caused a change in the patient's management. In this review, subject age ranged from 27- to 85-years-old. The mean age of the sample was 54.5 years. Of the positive MRI results, 29 (27.7%) had additional findings. There were 25 (20.3%) subjects with a treatment change and 97 (79.5%) without. In conclusion, breast MRI affected the clinical management in 25 (20.3%) of 122 patients. The majority of the 25 patients have invasive ductal carcinoma, followed by ductal carcinoma in situ. We believe this is a significant percentage positively affected by the additional use of breast MRI. We suggest that indications for the use of breast MRI in addition to traditional breast imaging should include all patients with invasive ductal carcinoma.