Course Description
Contrast-enhanced breast MRI (CE-MRI) is an important tool for diagnosing and managing patients with breast cancer. It is most often used to determine how far the cancer has spread locally, to screen high-risk patients, monitor treatment response, and assess any issues with breast implants. Gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agents (GBCAs) improve MRI quality by making tumors easier to identify and showing structural details and blood-flow changes linked to tumor growth. CE-MRI also has some limitations, including high cost, limited availability, longer scan times, and concerns regarding the retention of Gd in the body. As a result, safer and more effective contrast agents are being developed, and new imaging methods, including dynamic CE-MRI and diffusion-weighted imaging, have improved staging accuracy and treatment planning. Developing and employing abbreviated breast MRI protocols is also ongoing, which are designed to reduce imaging costs and scan time, making breast MRI more accessible to all. This course will review breast MRI imaging protocols and strategies, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, and abbreviated breast MRI protocols, as well as provide a detailed review of current and new GBCAs used in breast CE-MRI, as well as the benefits and drawbacks.

Learning Objectives
After reviewing the content, the participant should be able to:

• EXPLAIN the role of CE-MRI for diagnosing and managing patients with breast cancer specifically for screening, disease staging, treatment response, breast implant evaluation, and detecting multifocal, multicentric, or contralateral disease.
• COMPARE various current and emerging gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) by structure, stability, relaxivity, and safety profile.
• OUTLINE the differences between linear and macrocyclic GBCAs as well as the importance of chelation for reducing gadolinium toxicity.
• SUMMARIZE recent advancements in breast MRI techniques and protocols, including multiparametric MRI and abbreviated breast MRI, for enhancing diagnostic accuracy, reducing scan time, and improving patient accessibility.

Categories: MRI & Imaging Assistant, MR

In order to receive CE credit, you must first complete the activity content. When completed, go to the "Take CE Test!" link to access the post-test.

Submit the completed answers to determine if you have passed the post-test assessment. You must answer 8 out of 10 questions correctly to receive your CE credit. You will have no more than 3 attempts to successfully complete the post-test.

Participants successfully completing the activity content and passing the post-test will receive 1.0 ARRT Category A credit.

Approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for ARRT Category A credit.

Approved by the state of Florida for ARRT Category A credit.

Texas direct credit.

This activity may be available in multiple formats or from different sponsors. ARRT does not allow CE activities such as Internet courses, home study programs, or directed readings to be repeated for CE credit in the same biennium.