Changing Paradigms in Breast Cancer Screening: Abbreviated Breast MRI

Abstract

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most sensitive imaging method for breast cancer detection. In this review we discuss the vastly superior performance of MRI compared to traditional breast cancer screening modalities of mammography, tomosynthesis and ultrasound. We discuss an abbreviated breast MRI (AB-MRI) protocol utilizing Dixon sequences which is compliant with American College of Radiology (ACR) guidelines for accreditation of breast MRI but with significantly reduced scan times. Adaptation of such an AB-MRI protocol significantly increases patient throughput and may allow MRI to serve as a stand- alone breast cancer screening tool.