Will my mri biospy be done with contrast?

Posted by jeaniem @jeaniem, 3 days ago

I am 64 and post menopause. I started with a unilateral clear spontaneous nipple discharge several months ago, mri noted a 2.6 cm linear enhancement. I will have mri biospy in a few days and am wondering if contrast will be used again. I checked my patient portal and called the coordinator but am finding no answers.

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Profile picture for babs28 @babs28

@jeaniem I've had two MRI breast biopsies. I believe I was in the machine for about 20 minutes. You are in the same semi-prone position that you were in for the regular breast MRI. I didn't see exactly what the equipment was but the breast that is not being scanned has something compressing it up. The breast that is getting biopsied feels like it is in a mammo squish. They put something on your back so you are more squished than with the regulat breast MRI. You will feel the pinch of the anesthetic of course. I took a sedative for each of them. I did deep breathing, as best I could, and counted my breaths as a distraction. I also focused on the fact that I needed to do the MRI biopsy for my journey back to health. And, whenever I get any type of scan, I keep my eyes closed as long as I'min the machine. Yes, I'm claustrophobic. Of course they give you an alarm thingy to squeeze if you need to stop the test and the techs talk you through everything. So, if you can take one, I recommend a sedative. Make sure you let them know at radiology that you are going to take one. They may want you to be sedative free when you sign consent paperwork. I did better when I waited to take the sedative because, at least in my case, I was there for about 1/2 hour before they started the scanning. My best wishes to you on your journey.

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@babs28
Thank you! Hope you are doing well.

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Profile picture for marshgirl24 @marshgirl24

@jeaniem I think that "vaccuum assisted" is the suction that's used to draw out the cells. That's what I was watching spin out over the tubing. You don't feel it. I'm surprised that they used that term with you. However, in the old days, biopsies were done with a scalpel. Imagine. Women ended up with a scar (and smaller boobs) even if the mass/area was benign.

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@marshgirl24
I just read online about the vacuum assisted, no one told me that. Thank you

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