Breast MRI: EUSOBI recommendations for women's information.

UNLABELLED: This paper summarizes information about breast MRI to be provided to women and referring physicians. After listing contraindications, procedure details are described, stressing the need for correct scheduling and not moving during the examination. The structured report including BI-RADS® categories and further actions after a breast MRI examination are discussed. Breast MRI is a very sensitive modality, significantly improving screening in high-risk women. It also has a role in clinical diagnosis, problem solving, and staging, impacting on patient management. However, it is not a perfect test, and occasionally breast cancers can be missed. Therefore, clinical and other imaging findings (from mammography/ultrasound) should also be considered. Conversely, MRI may detect lesions not visible on other imaging modalities turning out to be benign (false positives). These risks should be discussed with women before a breast MRI is requested/performed. Because breast MRI drawbacks depend upon the indication for the examination, basic information for the most important breast MRI indications is presented. Seventeen notes and five frequently asked questions formulated for use as direct communication to women are provided. The text was reviewed by Europa Donna-The European Breast Cancer Coalition to ensure that it can be easily understood by women undergoing MRI. KEY POINTS: • Information on breast MRI concerns advantages/disadvantages and preparation to the examination • Claustrophobia, implantable devices, allergic predisposition, and renal function should be checked • Before menopause, scheduling on day 7-14 of the cycle is preferred • During the examination, it is highly important that the patient keeps still • Availability of prior examinations improves accuracy of breast MRI interpretation.

Introduction

Initial results regarding magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast were published more than 30 years ago, but clinical use started during the 1990s after the introduction of contrast-enhanced (CE) protocols [1, 2]. Breast MRI is today one of the main methods for diagnosing breast diseases, together with mammography, ultrasound, and image-guided needle biopsy. It is based on the use of (a) a strong magnetic field provided by a high-quality magnet; (b) low-energy electromagnetic waves (radiofrequency waves, similar to those of radio, television, and portable phones) radiated and received by special coils (antennas) inside the magnet and positioned close to the investigated body part. MRI can well differentiate lesions and abnormalities of the breast. However, in order to diagnose or exclude a cancer, intravenous administration of a gadolinium-containing contrast material (CM) is needed [3, 4]. Injection of CM is not required for evaluation of breast implant integrity. MRI does not expose the patient to potentially dangerous radiation, but other important precautions, contraindications, and potential side effects (including those regarding CM) should be considered.

In terms of cancer detection, MRI outperforms (but not entirely substitutes) both mammography and ultrasound. Its valuable diagnostic performance has been confirmed by many studies. However, MRI also detects benign lesions that would otherwise have gone unnoticed, leading to additional otherwise unnecessary work-up. Costs must also be considered, as MRI is more expensive than mammography and ultrasound. The main indications for breast MRI [5-9] are listed in Table 1.

Table 1

Indications for breast MRI

Screening of women at high risk of breast cancer

Preoperative staging of newly diagnosed breast cancer (ipsilateral and contralateral)

Evaluation of the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Evaluation of women with breast implants

Occult primary breast carcinoma (search for breast cancer in patients with metastases and negative mammography and ultrasound)

Suspected local recurrence*

Problem solving (equivocal findings at mammography/ultrasound)*

*When needle biopsy cannot be performed

Other new indications were recently proposed, such as nipple discharge [8] and evaluation of lesions with uncertain malignant potential (so-called high-risk or B3 lesions) detected at mammography or ultrasound, and needle-biopsied under their guidance [9]

Women’s information is important not only for patient awareness about advantages and disadvantages of breast MRI, but also to be prepared for the examination. Patients need to be aware of the possible benefits and risks associated with breast MRI and of potential further investigations prompted by this exam. Moreover, technical quality of breast MRI is dependent on patient compliance.

This paper is the second of a series of recommendations for women’s information issued by the European Society of Breast Imaging (EUSOBI), the first focusing on mammography [10]. It is proposed to women and physicians dealing with patients for whom breast MRI is being considered. In particular, 17 notes and 5 frequently asked questions are formulated for use as direct communication to women. As many different issues are considered, single authors generally agreeing on these recommendations can have different opinions on individual statements. Finally, differences across European countries are relevant in terms of available technology, national guidelines, clinical practices, health care system, and insurance coverage. Thus, these recommendations can have different applications under local conditions.

Precautions/Contraindications

An MRI system is a relatively narrow tube in which the woman lies in prone position during a breast examination for 15 to 30 min. Patients with severe claustrophobia are unable to undergo the examination unless they accept to be psychologically/pharmacologically prepared or sedated [11]. Because of the use of magnetic fields and radiofrequency waves, the presence of non-MRI compatible intracranial ferromagnetic clips for aneurysms and iron splinters in the eyes are absolute contraindications to MRI. In cases of doubt, an X-ray examination of the orbits can be performed to rule out the presence of iron splinters. Moreover, MRI is also contraindicated in patients with implanted electronic devices such as MR-unsafe pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and neurostimulators.

The woman should inform the radiologist or the staff personnel (technicians/nurses) if she has tattoos or permanent make-up. These may contain iron pigments, and especially when loop-shaped (like an antenna), they may heat up and cause local burns. Tissue expanders (e.g. for breast reconstructions) may not be MR-compatible. Women with intravascular stents or metal screws or plates for osteosynthesis can safely have a breast MRI 6 weeks after implantation. A list of implantable devices and precautions needed for MR imaging can be found on the Internet [12].

As stated above, breast MRI without CM cannot answer clinical questions [3, 5–7], with the evaluation of breast implant integrity as the only exception. Women with allergic predispositions or earlier allergic reactions to any CM have a higher risk for allergic reactions to MRI CM. Moreover, in women with very poor kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate lower than 30 ml/min × 1.73 m2), contrast injection implies a real, but very low risk of a rare disease called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis [13]; CE MRI is also generally contraindicated in pregnant women, but this condition should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis [14].

Before entering the MRI room, the patient is asked to fill out a detailed questionnaire to rule out any contraindication to examination and to CM injection.

Note A. If you think you may be claustrophobic, you can go to the MR centre and ask to see the MR scanner to get practical information. If you are seriously claustrophobic, discuss this with the referring physician, radiologist, and personnel of the institution where MRI is scheduled. This issue should be discussed and resolved before attending the examination. The use of a simple sedative medication to relieve the symptoms might be indicated.

Note B. If you have an implantable device such as pacemakers/defibrillators, metal implants, or breast expanders, discuss this with referring physician, as these might imply that MRI could harm you and/or damage the device. In cases of doubt about contraindication, inform the radiologist and the personnel of the institution where MRI is scheduled. This issue should be discussed before the MRI takes place. If this information has not been provided in advance, inform the personnel before the examination.

Note C. If you have an important allergic predisposition (e.g. bronchial asthma) or you had allergic reactions to drugs or CMs before, discuss this with your referring physician. In cases of serious allergic symptoms, a balance between the potential advantages of MRI and the risk of allergic reactions has to be made. Where MRI has to be performed, precautions need to be taken, including the administration of corticosteroid and antihistaminic drugs prior to the investigation. In any case, consult your radiologist before the scheduled MRI date. We recommend informing the personnel of the institution where MRI is scheduled. This issue should be discussed before MRI takes place.

Note D. To avoid a risk from MRI CM in the presence of renal failure, different regulations are adopted in European countries. Your renal function can be checked using a simple blood test (performed not before 30 days from MRI) for evaluating your creatinine level and estimating the glomerular filtration rate. In any case, inform your referring physician and radiologist if you have a history of bladder or kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, cardiac or vascular disease, multiple myeloma, Waldenström disease, or if you use diuretics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen/naproxen).

Scheduling

In premenopausal women, CE MRI is preferentially performed between days 7 and 14 of the menstrual cycle, when the background enhancement of the normal fibroglandular breast tissue is low, and hence abnormalities are better detected and false positives less frequent [15-19]. During the remaining days of the menstrual cycle, lesions may be masked by enhancement of the fibroglandular tissue potentially reducing the diagnostic value of the examination. If necessary, breast MRI may be performed in the third week of the menstrual cycle, taking into consideration that the results could be suboptimal. The use of oral contraceptives does not contraindicate CE MRI, but the above defined rules should be observed. Women with irregular menses (e.g., in perimenopausal phase) may undergo blood sampling for serum progesterone to determine the optimal time for breast MRI, especially if earlier examinations have been non-diagnostic due to strong glandular enhancement [20]. Premenopausal women who need only implant integrity evaluation can undergo non-contrast breast MRI at any time. All postmenopausal women can undergo CE MRI at any time. In fact, postmenopusal hormone replacement therapy has been recently reported to have negligible effect on parenchymal background enhancement [21]. In any case, breast MRI optimal scheduling should not substantially delay therapy planning.

Note E. If you are premenopausal and have an appointment for a screening CE MRI, check your menstrual cycle. If the exam scheduled is not between days 7 and 14 after the first day of your period, contact the centre and try to reschedule your appointment. If CE MRI has to be performed for another indication, discuss this with your radiologist: speed is sometimes more important than adequate scheduling. Be aware that an MRI examination performed outside the most suitable phase of the cycle may cause both false positives (findings suspected to be malignant which turn out to be benign) and false negatives (apparently normal or benign findings when a cancer is present). Cycle-related scheduling is not required for assessing breast implants and CM administration is not planned.

Note F. If you have irregular menses (e.g. perimenopausal phase) or if you have had a hysterectomy before 50 years of age, consult your radiologist to verify the need for blood sampling for serum progesterone to determine the optimal MRI scheduling.

Technique/Procedure

Breast MRI is performed using MRI scanners working at 1.5 or 3 Tesla (1.5 Tesla = 15,000 Gauss).

Clear instructions and explanation regarding the procedure are provided by a technician or a nurse. After a possible interaction with the radiologist on duty and completion of questionnaires, if CM injection is needed, the woman is asked to sign a specific informed consent. Thereafter, intravenous access is obtained, placing a small plastic cannula in the cubital vein of one arm, a simple puncture comparable to that for blood sampling. During the examination, CM will be injected followed by a saline flush using an automated injector. The cannula will be removed after the procedure and the puncture site will be shortly compressed to stop bleeding.

The woman should keep still during the entire examination as patient movement causes most artifacts, which strongly reduce image quality and make interpretation difficult and sometimes impossible. A warm and sometimes tingling sensation can be felt in the arm of injection. This may be more extensive and be felt throughout the body. A metallic taste may occur within the mouth. A transient headache or nausea may rarely occur.

The procedure is performed with the upper body undressed and bra removed. Any clothing containing metal, jewellery, and other foreign objects must be removed. Some centres require almost complete undressing and provide disposable clothing. Dedicated breast coils are mandatory. Women are placed prone on the MRI table with each breast in the recess of the coil. A technician or a nurse positions the breasts avoiding folding of breast tissue on the edges of the coil. In some centres, slight breast compression is applied to reduce motion artifacts. Rubber ear plugs or headphones are provided to reduce the scanner noise during image acquisition. Radiologists and technicians are able to communicate with the woman during the examination. An alarm bell is provided; when it is rung by the woman, the examination will be terminated immediately and she will be removed from the magnet. Thus, the woman can be sure that if needed, she will be assisted.

When the woman is optimally positioned, table and patient are moved into the magnet, so that her breasts are in the centre of the tube: the magnetic field is most homogeneous at that position allowing for optimal image quality. The procedure is noisy, even though ear plugs/headphones attenuate noise perception. During the examination, the staff are discouraged from talking to the woman, as this frequently induces movements and should be done only when really needed. Scan sequences produce different noises and different noise levels, more relevant being those for CE imaging (continuous and buzzing sound), and for the so-called diffusion-weighted images (high beeping sound). When breast implant integrity has to be evaluated, dedicated scan sequences with different noises are used.

When the examination is done, the table and the woman are taken out of the scanner, and the table is lowered. The woman is then asked to sit up to remove the venous access. The procedure commonly takes 15–30 min, except when additional sequences are done for clinical purposes. The radiologist can decide to postpone the removal of the venous access for 10–15 min before the patient leaves the department (see below).

Note G. During the examination, it is of paramount importance that you keep still. When the scanner acquires data (the “sequence”), you hear a relatively strong noise, reduced by the ear plugs/headphones. You may think that movements between the different sequences do not reduce image quality. However, as images acquired over time will be subtracted from each other, also movements between different scan sequences should be avoided.

After the procedure

When the procedure is over, the woman redresses. If CM had been administered, outpatients may be asked to remain in the department for about 10–15 min to check for any very rare delayed reaction to CM. Prior to reading images, image co-registration using special software is sometimes used, and the evaluation itself, including previous examinations and clinical records, also takes time. The report is usually generated within a few days, but particular cases can require a longer time. In the case of artifacts or strong enhancement of background glandular tissue in women not examined in the best phase of the menstrual cycle or with unexpected other hormonal influences, a repeat breast MRI can be required. Depending on the findings and the indication for MRI, additional investigations may be necessary.

Breast MRI report and BI-RADS® categories

Evaluation of breast MRI should be performed by a dedicated breast radiologist. The report should contain the indication for the scan, relevant clinical information, and type and dose of administered CM. In premenopausal women, the day or the week of the menstrual cycle on which MRI was performed should be stated. Techniques used should be very briefly summarized.

Reported image findings include breast density, amount of parenchymal background enhancement, and a usually structured description of relevant abnormalities, including those in the axillae or incidental findings in the imaged part of thorax and abdomen, when visible. Side and location of any breast lesions should be described. Lymph node evaluation is not a specific aim of breast MRI, but it is possible that the exam reveals unsuspected nodal metastasis.

Each report should end with a conclusion, commonly associated with a diagnostic category and recommendations. In many European countries, a structured reporting and classification system is in use. The most commonly applied system is the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS®) developed by the American College of Radiology [22], also used with high-resolution 3 T systems [23].

Conclusive BI-RADS diagnostic categories are used as follows:

0 = incomplete, additional imaging evaluation is needed;

1 = negative, no abnormalities;

2 = benign findings;

3 = probably benign findings (short-term follow-up within 6 months recommended; needle biopsy may be performed only in special cases, such as on patient request or high-risk patients);

4 = suspected malignancy (needle biopsy recommended);

5 = highly suspected malignancy (needle biopsy recommended);

6 = already histologically proven cancer (typically reserved for MRI scans made for cancer staging or in the case of neoadjuvant chemotherapy).

Recommendation of needle biopsy for BI-RADS 4-5 lesions is a general rule for isolated newly diagnosed lesions. It could not be performed in the case of a lesion adjacent or close to a lesion already known to be cancer. Around 60 % of lesions initially detected at MRI are identified with second-look targeted ultrasound [24], even though this rate is variable among studies. The definition of second-look comes from the common event that a lesion undetected at first-look ultrasound is detected at the second look, when the radiologist knows from MRI where to look. In that case, needle biopsy is performed under ultrasound guidance, a faster, less invasive, and cheaper procedure than MR-guided biopsy [25]. When the lesion is not detected with ultrasound and the indication for biopsy still stands, an MR-guided biopsy is indicated. It takes longer than a diagnostic breast MRI, and it is a special procedure, requiring dedicated targeting and sampling equipment as well as trained personnel. In some countries it is necessary to apply for a specific reimbursement (this is a relatively new and expensive procedure).

However, in the case MR-guided biopsy cannot be performed (e.g., dedicated equipment not available; lesion site not accessible, such as those very close to the thoracic wall), computed tomography-guided biopsy or MR-guided presurgical localization may be performed.

Note H. When a needle biopsy is indicated for an MR-detected finding, this doesn’t mean you have cancer. Up to 50–70 % of MRI findings that require biopsy turn out to be benign [26]. Targeted ultrasound, re-evaluation of mammograms, targeted mammographic views, or images obtained with digital breast tomosynthesis are useful, offering the possibility of a biopsy under ultrasound or mammography guidance. Thus, if a suspicious lesion (BI-RADS 4 or 5) is MR-detected, an image-guided needle biopsy should be performed in almost all the cases. Definition of the benign nature of an MR-detected suspicious finding using only other targeted imaging modalities without biopsy is only possible in very few cases.

Note I. In the case of MRI BI-RADS 4-5, even if targeted ultrasound and above described mammographic approaches are negative, cancer cannot be excluded: an MR-guided biopsy is required. Not all centres that perform breast MRI offer MR-guided breast biopsy. However, your radiologist should be able to refer you to a centre where MR-guided biopsy can be performed or to opt for needle sampling under computed tomography guidance or for MR-guided presurgical localization.

BI-RADS 3 findings form a special diagnostic category [27], with a chance to be malignant below 2 % [28]. However, the actual chance of an MR-detected BI-RADS 3 lesion being malignant is sometimes higher, especially in high-risk women [29]. For a BI-RADS 3 lesion, short-term follow-up is recommended instead of biopsy due to the low malignancy probability and the expected not reduced treatment efficacy for a shortly delayed diagnosis. This implies repeat MRI examinations within 6 months and potential further repeat MRI at 1 year and 2 years after initial detection. When, at MRI follow-up, an MR-detected lesion disappears, shrinks, or remains unchanged in size, and does not show any new sign of malignancy, it can be downgraded to benign (BI-RADS 2) without biopsy. However, in some cases, mostly when the patient prefers an immediate conclusion of the diagnostic pathway, a needle biopsy can be directly performed for a BI-RADS 3 lesion.

Note J. In the case of MRI BI-RADS 3 finding, you should discuss with your radiologist and/or referring physician whether watchful waiting with a follow-up breast MRI within 6 months or biopsy should be preferred. Caution is given in high-risk women: in these women a BI-RADS 3 finding has a higher probability of malignancy and biopsy is more frequently performed.

Sensitivity of breast MRI

Overall sensitivity of breast MRI for breast cancer is approximately 90 %, which implies that 10 % of cancers may be missed. Missed cancers are in general either very small or do not have enough contrast enhancement. Sensitivity for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a noninvasive lesion, possibly a precursor of invasive cancer and similarly treated, is variable; some of them, especially those with a lower pathological grade (G1) can be missed [30-32]. Occasionally, also invasive cancers can be occult at MRI. DCIS may be depicted on mammograms as a cluster of microcalcifications, even if, in some cases, MRI findings are negative. This implies that findings from clinical examination, mammography, or ultrasound, even if only probably benign, i.e. BI-RADS 3, should be reviewed based upon negative MRI findings [33]. Generally, if a needle biopsy is correctly indicated, a negative MRI finding cannot substitute for biopsy. Of note, sensitivity also depends on technical prerequisites, clinical indication, and reader experience.

Note K. If a needle biopsy based upon palpable abnormalities or mammography/ultrasound is indicated, you should have a needle biopsy to rule out cancer. Even though highly sensitive, breast MRI is not a perfect test and should not be used as an alternative for biopsy. Needle biopsies are performed to exclude the presence of cancer; as a consequence, when a biopsy is recommended, this does not mean that you have a cancer.

Breast MRI for screening

Due to its high sensitivity, breast MRI is an excellent screening tool. In cohorts of women with a familial increased risk for breast cancer, and of women who are carriers of BRCA1, BRCA2, or other rarer gene mutations, the superior sensitivity of breast MRI compared to other breast imaging techniques has been shown [7, 34–39]. However, MRI also has a very high sensitivity for benign breast disease. This leads to additional investigations, including repeat MRI scans, targeted ultrasound, and biopsy, as stated above. This additional burden from MRI screening is greater in women with a priori lower breast cancer risk. Moreover, MRI is a relatively expensive examination, and the need for additional investigations further increases the cost. Consequently, the cost-effectiveness of MRI screening has been questioned for women who are not at increased risk [40]. Note that healthcare reimbursement of breast MRI screening is variable among countries.

Evidence for a substantial added value of MRI as a screening tool exists for women with proven BRCA1, BRCA2, or other rarer gene mutations [7, 34–39], for a proportion of women with an elevated risk based upon their family history, and for those patients who received thoracic radiotherapy before the age of 30 years [41-43]. A recent individual patient-data meta-analysis showed that for BRCA mutation carriers, the gain in sensitivity is relevant also over the age of 50 years [44]. Guidelines throughout Europe and the United States differ substantially for the risk level deserving breast MRI screening and the age for starting and ending MRI screening.

Note L. If you have multiple cases of breast and/or ovarian cancer in your family, discuss the possibility of MRI screening with your referring physician and your radiologist. There are risk assessment systems available to estimate your risk. The referring physician or your radiologist could decide to refer you to a specialized centre for risk evaluation. The results thereof can subsequently be matched to your local/national guideline. Note that healthcare reimbursement is variable among countries.

Note M. If you were treated with thoracic radiation therapy, discuss the need of MRI and mammography screening with your referring physician, radiation therapy specialist, and radiologist.

Breast MRI for breast cancer staging

Most breast cancers are detected due to clinical symptoms or by screening mammography. The standard way to assess suspicious lesions is with the so-called triple assessment: mammography, ultrasound, and image-guided needle biopsy. MRI is not yet involved in initial cancer detection except in those women, usually at high risk, screened with MRI. When a breast cancer is detected, MRI may be performed to assess disease extent, look for satellite lesions, and screen for other cancers either in the affected or in the contralateral breast. MRI is much better in tumour extent evaluation than either mammography or ultrasound, even though tumour size overestimation and underestimation still occur in up to 15 % of patients. Although a better documentation of tumour size and extent could lead to a better tailored surgery, with a low rate of re-interventions for positive resection margins, randomized studies that evaluated the surgical outcome of preoperative MRI gave conflicting results [45-48]. In patients with invasive lobular carcinoma, a specific diffuse growing tumour type notoriously underestimated by mammography and ultrasound, a reduction of re-excisions from 18 % to 11 % was observed [49], although this was not statistically significant in a meta-analysis [50]. Other suggested indications are discrepancy in tumour size among different modalities (including clinical examination) that may change the treatment strategy, breast cancer found in a high-risk woman, and eligibility for partial breast irradiation [7, 51].

Preoperative MRI also detects many additional enhancing lesions unseen with mammography and ultrasound. Approximately 50 % of them are cancerous (increased up to 75 % in the breast harbouring an already known malignancy), indicating that pathological verification is necessary, especially when the additional lesions are distant from the already diagnosed cancer. When additional disease is detected, this logically leads to more extensive surgery. However, this must be regarded with caution. It should be understood that breast conserving surgery in breast cancer in over 40 % of patients is primarily aimed at reducing disease extent rather than being completely curative [52]. This information should be presented to patients: treatment is mostly completed by radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or hormonal therapy. Consequently, additional MRI-detected tumour foci may be effectively treated by these adjuvant therapies. Extension of surgery indicated by MRI might, therefore, be unnecessary. So far, there is lack of evidence of improved overall or disease-free survival due to preoperative MRI. In any case, the possible patient gain from preoperative MRI is also dependent on the experience of the radiologist reporting the MRI, the accuracy of mapping MR-detected additional tumour extent, capabilities of the treating surgeon using the results of this imaging technique and thus on the interface between radiology and surgery.

In addition, MRI detects unsuspected cancer in the contralateral breast in approximately 3 % of all women with unilateral cancer as found by conventional imaging [53], even though higher rates of contralateral otherwise undetected cancers were reported [54]. Since no radiation therapy is given to the contralateral breast, the detection of unsuspected contralateral cancer may be more relevant than detection of additional ipsilateral foci. Although in most circumstances the eventual prognosis is mainly dictated by the size and grade of the largest cancer, early detection of second cancers is associated with a slight increase in survival, especially in patients below 50 years of age [55, 56].

Note N. In the case of a newly diagnosed breast cancer, preoperative MRI is a possibility for improving treatment of the already diagnosed cancer and also detecting cancer in the contralateral breast. This must be balanced against a risk that more extensive unnecessary surgery may be performed (e.g. mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy) as a consequence of MRI. Your radiologist and your surgeon can discuss with you potential advantages and disadvantages of preoperative MRI considering your particular case.

Breast MRI in patients with implants

MRI is the most sensitive technique to detect breast implant ruptures when an appropriate protocol is performed [57]. This protocol includes specialized sequences without CM administration.

Notably, the usual reaction to breast augmentation is to form a fibrous capsule around the implant. This capsule frequently keeps the silicone in place even after an implant rupture. In fact, up to 50 % of old implants are leaky 10 years after implantation [58], usually without any symptoms. Thus, screening for implant rupture is not needed [7]. In symptomatic patients, for example, those with an extracapsular rupture (i.e. with silicone outside the fibrous capsule), the leakage and spread of silicone in the breast can be very accurately depicted with MRI. MRI is able to confirm or exclude rupture when mammography or ultrasound are inconclusive. This may facilitate the decision of the surgeon to make a revision and/or to change the implants.

The presence of implants does not affect the sensitivity of MRI for breast cancer detection: other indications for CE breast MRI remain valid in the presence of implants.

Note O. In the absence of symptoms, breast implants do not need to be screened for integrity with breast MRI. However, in cases of suspected rupture, MRI is the best technique to detect possible leakage.

Note P. Breast implants do not affect the sensitivity of CE MRI for new or recurrent breast cancer.

Note Q. If you have breast implants and a breast MRI is planned, remember to bring with you detailed information about the model/type of the implants you have. If you don’t have this information, please ask the surgeon to give you these data.

Evaluation of the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy

In the case of advanced breast cancer, many centres adopt protocols for reduction of the mass with neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery. In this setting, MRI is proposed for either early prediction of response during chemotherapy [59] or for presurgical evaluation [60, 61]. A baseline MRI evaluation should be performed prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, as MRI images cannot be compared to initial mammography or ultrasound studies. For both early response prediction and presurgical evaluation, MRI seems to be a better test than clinical breast evaluation, mammography, or ultrasound. However, women should be aware that if MRI is used to guide surgery at the end of chemotherapy, a fraction of patients (10–20 %) may have clinically relevant underestimation or overestimation of residual cancer [7].

Occult primary breast carcinoma

After the initial detection of metastases, breast cancer may be suspected, especially when axillary nodes are involved. However, in a small fraction of patients, in whom needle biopsy of lymph nodes confirms the breast origin of the disease, mammography and ultrasound are negative. This is occult primary breast cancer, accounting for up to 1 % of breast cancers. In this clinical setting, MRI can identify the primary breast cancer in about two thirds of cases, allowing for breast conserving surgery [6, 7, 62]. If breast MRI is negative, immediate surgery may be avoided. In cases of axillary metastases, patients are usually treated with radiotherapy to the ipsilateral breast. Follow-up MRI can be proposed [7].

Frequently asked questions and references are available as on-line supplemental material. (DOCX 18 kb)