MRI Guided Vacuum Assisted Breast Biopsy - About the Exam
MRI guided vacuum assisted breast biopsy is a procedure performed by Mountain Medical’s radiologists to remove a small sample of breast tissue for laboratory testing. An MRI guided breast biopsy is considered the best way to evaluate a suspicious area in the breast seen on breast MRI, that cannot be visualized on mammography or ultrasound, to determine if it is breast cancer.
Radiologists perform an MRI guided vacuum assisted breast biopsy to remove some tissue from the suspicious site. The tissue is sent to a pathologist where it is processed, stained and then evaluated under a microscope to assess the type of cells within the tissue sample. An MRI guided vacuum assisted breast biopsy is not designed to remove the entire lesion.
What you can expect during a MRI guided vacuum assisted breast biopsy:
- You will be asked to lie face down on the examination table with your breasts positioned in the openings in the table.
- An IV will be inserted in your hand or arm and the contrast material will be injected.
- Your breast will be gently compressed between two compression plates while the radiologist or technologist measures the position of the lesion for needle placement.
- A local anesthetic will be injected into the breast to numb it.
- A very small nick is made in the skin at the site where the needle will be inserted.
- A needle will then be inserted and advanced to the suspicious site and a tissue sample is extracted.
- A small marker may be placed at the biopsy site so that it can be located in the future if needed.
- A mammogram may be performed to confirm that the marker is in the right spot.
- A MRI guided breast biopsy is usually completed within 45 minutes.
Learn how to prepare for a MRI guided vacuum assisted breast biopsy.
Learn the benefits and risks of MRI guided vacuum assisted breast biopsy.
Watch the MRI - What to Expect Video.
