Breast MRI usage climbs 23% in 2008
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| The specialty of breast MRI experiences an uptick in usage. Image Source: RSNA |
"In the first half of 2008 the total number of patients undergoing MRI of the breast increased 23 percent over the same period in 2007," according to Anna Fisher, AMR analyst, who added that the boost may be attributed to increase awareness campaigns for early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
The firm said it also discovered that approximately 90 percent of patients undergoing an MRI of the breast received a contrast agent during the study to improve the delineation between normal and abnormal tissues.
It should be noted that in 2007, the American Cancer Society published a revised practice guideline recommending the use of breast MR in screening women in specific risk groups, such as women with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, those who have dense breast tissue and women who were treated for Hodgkin disease. Breast MR also was recommended for women who have had previous surgery and silicone breast implants, among several other indications.
AMR said its Imaging Market Guide is an audit of conventional x-ray, CT scanning, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine and cardiac cath lab procedure volumes, with iodinated contrast agent and radiopharmaceutical usage information in hospital and non-hospital settings.
The information in the database is collected directly from end user technologists, managers and supervisors working in hospital radiology and cardiology departments, vascular labs, cardiac cath labs, special procedure areas, free-standing imaging centers and private cardiologists' offices. The audit is conducted twice a year and covers the United States, Italy, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Spain, China, Japan and Korea, according to AMR.