Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive, usually painless
medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical
conditions.
MRI uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to
take detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all
other internal body structures. The images can then be viewed on a
computer monitor and/or printed. MRI does not use ionizing radiation
(x-rays).
Detailed MRI images allow physicians to better evaluate parts of the
body and certain diseases that may not be examined as carefully with
other imaging methods such as x-ray, ultrasound or computed
tomography (also called CT or CAT scanning).
MRI of the breast offers valuable information about many breast
conditions that cannot be captured by other imaging modalities, such
as mammography or ultrasound.