Recent studies have shown MRI is a valuable diagnostic tool in terms of its ability to detect lobular breast cancer in younger women, which can be difficult to detect with mammography

In addition to its role as a diagnostic tool, breast MRI testing may be useful in screening younger women who are at a higher risk of breast cancer. While, most women under the age of 40 do not require any breast imaging, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that high risk women have annual breast exams to increase the chances that cancer will be detected early, when survival rates are greatest. Since MRI is more sensitive than mammography, it can help detect cancer that may be otherwise missed. However, because this increased sensitivity can also lead to false positive results, which results in further breast biopsies, the American Cancer Society does not recommend MRI for all women.

Best-in-Class MRI Systems:

• Image acquisition and simultaneous display of priors integrated into one intuitive acquisition workstation
• Feet first or head first positioning for patients
• Support for a wide range of applications dedicated to improve diagnostic confidence

Top Considerations before buying MRI Systems:
Breast cancer detection can be compared to finding a needle in a haystack, especially in women with denser breast tissue. Advances in MRI technology find spots that mammography might miss. Instill confidence in diagnostic capabilities with more intensive equipment.

Key Providers:
1. Esterline Technologies Corporation’s Mid-Travel elastomer over metal dome provides user interface on the front of an MRI machine. Construction includes a single dome user under a large key with good tactile feedback and dual texture applied to the overlay. Winner of the Medical Design Excellence Award 2009, Esterline is a leading designer of a myriad of advanced control panels for Ultrasound, CT, MR and X-Ray machines. 

2. Hologic’s ATEC MRI-guided breast biopsy needle is specifically designed for hard-to reach areas in thinly compressed breasts. It is the only needle composed of a hemispherical tip to prevent perforation of skin, common in smaller areas. Coupled with the ATEC Sapphire this tool is part of the all-in-one breast biopsy system that provides radiologists and surgeons freedom to biopsy and excise in the three primary diagnostic modalities of: x-ray, ultrasound and MRI.

3. Siemens TIM (Total Image Matrix) full-field, total body digital MRI solution offers better screening capabilities for dense breasts, short examination times, and patient comfort. Tim has 32 RF channels and up to 102 Matrix coil elements for revolutionary total body imaging. Tim provides healthcare professionals flexibility, accuracy and reduces examination times by 50%. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care – from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care.

4. Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc.'s (HMSA) AIRIS Elite utilizes Open MR technology, which is suitable for imaging centers and community hospitals. Due to the vertical field permanent magnet, higher order active shim technology, scalable dual quad RF systems and fast gradients are achieved and integrated. The transmitters is a 4 channel Quadrature with QD MER coil which provides uniformity of excitation and consistent imagery. HMSA is the US division of Hitachi Medical Corporation (HMC), a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., which has over 16,000 research and development specialists in 33 research facilities worldwide.

MRI Systems
Definition: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI), is a noninvasive technique used to visualize detailed internal structure and limited function of the body through radiological imaging.