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CTDave · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 12:28 pm Post subject: Breast MRI

I recieved this email, please give your opinions.

CTDave

I work for Oregon Advanced Imaging in Medford Oregon. I am hoping you can help with a question I am attempting to research and haven’t had any luck finding concrete info.
When conducting a Breast MRI on patient’s with known Breast cancer, how important is it to include a Chest MRI at the same time.
We have historically been doing both on patient’s with known breast cancer, even if not ordered by the referring MD.
We do the Chest MRI to look at the chest wall to see if any cancer has penetrated since the Breast MRI doesn’t show that.
Is this a common practice amoung other imaging centers or is it going overboard?
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CTDave
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MagnetMan · Joined: 05 Jan 2007 Posts: 20 Location: Belpre, Oh

I cannot see the insurance companies (esp: Medicare) paying for two procedures. Plus the length of MRI makes it difficult for most patients to lay still for two procedures and motion becomes a factor. I could see the Radiologist adding a sequence or two of the anterior chest wall to be included in the breast protocol.
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Chief MRI Technologist, Radiation Safety Officer, ACR Coordinator. Proficient on GE and Hitachi MRI Scanners.

DR.NICK · Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 5

We do a COR scan to check the lymph nodes for any ca.
best of luck
DR.NICK