Abbreviated Breast MRI

Abbreviated Breast MRI does not replace 3D mammography.  It's a supplemental imaging exam that provides additional information about breast health.

• AB-MRI can be helpful in screening for breast cancer in women who have an average or intermediate lifetime risk of breast cancer AND dense breast tissue. Women with less than a 20% lifetime risk of breast cancer are at average or intermediate risk.
• Women with category C or D density are considered to have dense breast tissue.

Your lifetime risk of breast cancer and breast density will be reported to both you and your physician following your annual mammogram and with completion of the Personal Risk Assessment questionnaire.

Women at increased risk for breast cancer should have screening with a standard breast MRI.  Women with greater than a 20% lifetime risk for breast cancer are considered increased risk.

In some cases, AB-MRI may be considered for women who qualify for, but are not able to proceed with, a standard breast MRI.

• Abbreviated Breast MRI requires a physician referral.
• Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
• If you suffer from anxiety or claustrophobia, you may request a mild sedative from your physician to bring with you on the day of your appointment.
• AB-MRI should be scheduled 7-10 days from the start of your menstrual cycle. This timing is important to minimize false positive findings that can occur due to hormonal effect on the breast tissue.

Please call 704-831-4200 if any of the following factors apply to you so that we may make arrangements:

• Cardiac Pacemaker
• Artificial heart valve prostheses
• Aneurysm clips
• Eye implants or metal ear implants or any metal implants activated electronically, magnetically or mechanically
• Copper 7 IUD
• Shrapnel or non-removed bullet
• Pregnancy
• Weight over 350 lbs
• Claustrophobia
• Any metal puncture(s) or fragment(s) in eye

If you’ve had prior mammograms, breast ultrasounds or breast MRIs at a facility other than Charlotte Radiology, you will be asked to provide contact information for the center so we can obtain these records before your scheduled appointment. Having prior records helps our Radiologists to identify any changes over time. If you would like Charlotte Radiology to request these on your behalf, please fill out our medical records release form one month prior to your scheduled appointment (it can take up to three weeks to receive records from an out of state provider).

After your exam, one of our subspecialized radiologists will review your images and fax a report directly to your primary physician.

Abbreviated Breast MRI is available at our Charlotte Radiology Morehead Breast Center located in the Morehead Medical Plaza at 1025 Morehead Medical Drive, Suite 150.

A physician referral is required to schedule Abbreviated Breast MRI. Because insurance coverage for AB-MRI is still evolving, this advanced imaging option is currently offered to patients out of pocket only. This means payment is required at the time of service. The cost for AB-MRI is $399. Please call 980-233-5053 if you have questions about pricing, insurance coverage, and/or billing before your scheduled appointment.

HSA and FSA funds may be used as payment. Please note that if any additional screening is required beyond the AB-MRI, these procedures are generally covered by insurance.