Breast MRI: How It Is Performed
An MRI machine is a long vertical tube that has a flat table that can slide in and out of the machine. The body of the machine is where the magnets and radio waves emit to create images of your breast.
You will be instructed to change into a hospital gown and remove any jewelry or accessories you have on before you enter the machine. If a contrast dye is being used, the technician will insert an IV into your arm so that the dye can be injected into your bloodstream.
In the MRI room, you’ll be instructed to lie on your stomach on a padded table. There will be depressions in the table, to give room for your breast to rest. The technician will then gently slide you into the machine.
The technician will be in another room watching you through the glass and looking at the monitor collecting the images. They will over a microphone instruct you on when to hold still and hold your breath.
The procedure is completely painless and you may not even feel the machine working, but you may hear some noises like clicks from the machine. For this, the technician may give you earplugs.
The procedure may take up to an hour. You can change your clothes and go home once the images have been recorded.