"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," reports Anna Fisher, an analyst with Arlington Medical Resources, which recently published its imaging market guide.

Breast MRI is one of the fast growing procedures in the MR departments.  Last year 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’s disease. Breast MR also was recommended for women who have had previous surgery and silicone breast implants, among several other indications.