An MRI guided breast biopsy is a small sampling of breast tissue, using MRI to aid the physician performing the biopsy. In order to be a candidate for MRI guided biopsy, you must first have a suspicious area seen only on your MRI of the breast. The procedure for the biopsy will be very similar to your MRI. We will take some additional MRI images with a small amount of compression applied to your breast. This will help the doctor localize the area in question and stabilize the breast. The biopsy physician will then numb a small area of the breast and insert an instrument to localize the breast tissue. We will take some additional pictures to confirm the area and then a small sample of breast tissue will be taken. With this examination, you will feel some pressure, and perhaps some discomfort, but little or no pain. You will need to refrain from blood thinning medications for 5 days prior to the biopsy and 3 days after the biopsy. Your results should be available to your doctor within 48 hours, although some testing facilities (labs) may take slightly longer.

Insurance coverage for this exam is variable and many insurance carriers have a list of requirements that must be met before the exam is considered reimbursable. All patients must meet their carriers’ medical necessity guidelines. Careful documentation of all symptoms and clinical information is critical for reimbursement. It is best to contact your insurance carrier prior to your MRI to determine coverage for this exam.