MRI

About

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed pictures of the body's internal structures that are clearer, more detailed and more likely in some instances to identify and accurately characterize disease than other imaging methods. It is used to evaluate the body for a variety of conditions, including tumors and diseases of the liver, heart, and bowel. It may also be used to monitor an unborn child in the womb. MRI is noninvasive and does not use ionizing radiation.

Pediatric Sedation Program

Community Children's offers a pediatric sedation program that provides moderate and deep sedation allowing MRI scans, joint injections and other procedures to be done without intubation, avoiding potential negative effects of general anesthesia on the developing brain.

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Appointment

Community Medical Center is affiliated with Advanced Imaging to provide MRI Services. Please contact Advanced Imaging directly at (406) 327-3950 to schedule an appointment.

Learn More

Breast MRI

Breast MRI scans are typically given to patients who are genetically predisposed to breast cancer or those with a strong family or personal history. For these patients, the American Cancer Society recommends both a mammogram and an MRI annually, beginning at age 30. For patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, breast MRI gives surgeons and oncologists a clear picture of the extent of the cancer to ensure that proper treatment is delivered.

What is a breast MRI?

Breast MRI is the sophisticated imaging available for the breast, and increasingly important in the fight against breast cancer. Promising new evidence shows that for women with increased risk, breast MRI can potentially decrease mortality by detecting cancers that would otherwise be completely invisible or undetectable by mammography, ultrasound, or clinical examination.

Who should consider having a Breast MRI?

The American Cancer Society recommends an annual Breast MRI, in addition to a mammogram, starting at age 30 for women who have any of the following conditions:

• A BRCA 1 or 2 gene mutation
• A first-degree parent, sibling, or child with a BRCA 1 or 2 gene mutations (even if the patient is untested)
• A greater than 20% calculated lifetime risk of developing breast cancer (the US average is 12-13% using the modified Gail Model for calculation)
• The TP53 of PTEN gene mutation
• Had radiation to the chest between the ages of 10 and 30
• Themselves, or a first degree relative has a rare genetic syndrome such as Li-Fraumeni, Cowden, or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba

Why choose Breast MRI?

While mammography is the gold standard to which all breast imaging is compared, it does not have the power that is available with MRI. Most abnormalities requiring biopsy that are detected via a mammogram are benign, but the majority of abnormalities requiring biopsy detected by MRI turn out to be malignant. This means that MRIs lead to fewer unnecessary biopsies due to “false alarms.”

Take a Breast Health Risk Assessment