What do we examine during the MRI breast implants?
In the case of a rupture (tear) in a breast implant, it is advised to replace the implant. However, in 30% of cases, you may not notice such a rupture. Therefore, it is wise to regularly have your breast implants checked, even if you have no symptoms. We recommend having an MRI scan ten years after your breast correction and repeating it every five years.
For the MRI Scan Breast Implants at Prescan, you do not need a referral from your GP or specialist. You will receive the results immediately (on the same day) after the examination.
What does an MRI scan of breast implants offer me?
You receive the results from our medical specialists the same day.
The MRI images are available in the secure environment of MyPrescan. The report is accessible here for 10 years and easy to share.
Detailed imaging: provides highly detailed images of soft tissues.
Safe, no radiation risk.
You can get an appointment quickly, without a referral.
Non-invasive and comfortable, without contrast fluid.
Specifications Breast Implants MRI
Scanned areas
breast implants · Mri scan
Provides insight into
A preventive MRI of your breast implants is intended to detect potential conditions at an early stage, but if you experience symptoms or notice unusual changes, you should always contact your general practitioner.
This MRI scan provides clarity about the condition of your breast implants. The scan shows whether the implants are still intact and can reveal a possible rupture of the breast implant, even before any symptoms occur.
It is possible that an examination may lead to incidental findings. Before the examination, Prescan will ask whether you wish to be informed about incidental findings for which monitoring or treatment is possible, and incidental findings concerning conditions that may affect your offspring. Prescan is not permitted to inform you about incidental findings for which no monitoring or treatment is possible (see NEN 8051 standard for more information).
The results of the examination can be shared with your general practitioner. For more information about preventive medical examinations, Prescan recommends consulting the following independent sources:
High image quality without radiation: An MRI scan provides highly detailed images of organs and tissues without the use of harmful ionizing radiation, unlike for example an X-ray or CT scan.
Non-invasive and safe: The examination is safe and non-invasive, meaning that no needles or procedures are required, making it more comfortable for the patient.
No contrast medium required: For this specific MRI scan, no contrast medium is used, which makes the examination safer for people who may be allergic to contrast media or have kidney problems.
Cons
A preventive MRI scan of breast implants can sometimes detect benign abnormalities that pose no risk. This may cause unnecessary worry or anxiety, especially if follow-up examinations are required to rule out something serious.
In some cases, harmless abnormalities may mistakenly be seen as concerning, which can lead to unnecessary follow-up examinations or additional scans. This can cause stress, even if it later turns out there is no problem. Prescan will never make a diagnosis or provide treatment in such cases, but will refer you to your general practitioner for further examination.
People with metal implants such as pacemakers or surgical clips may not always be able to undergo an MRI due to the use of strong magnets.
The enclosed space of the MRI machine can be an issue for people with claustrophobia.
Without contrast medium, some small abnormalities may be less visible on the scan. This means certain details are harder to detect, and additional examinations may sometimes be needed to get a clear picture.
Alternatives
If you have symptoms, we advise you to contact your general practitioner. Prescan focuses on preventive health checks and is not intended for examining existing complaints.
(Not offered by Prescan)
Possible alternatives are:
CT scan
PET scan
Risks
Claustrophobia: anxiety in the confined space, which may be managed with sedatives. Sedatives must be obtained through your general practitioner or a pharmacy.
An important risk with an MRI scan is the presence of metal in the body. MRI uses strong magnets, and metallic objects or implants can therefore be attracted, which may be dangerous. This applies to:
Metal implants: Individuals with metal implants such as pacemakers, stents, or joint prostheses must always inform their physician. Some modern implants are MRI-safe, but this must be checked beforehand.
Metal in the body: Splinters or other small metallic objects in the body may shift or heat up during the MRI, which can cause injury.
Metallic objects: It is important to remove all metallic objects such as jewelry, watches, and piercings before the scan, as these may be attracted by the magnetic field.
To avoid risks, a thorough screening is performed before the MRI to check for the presence of metal.
Technical Description
MRI Scanners
Prescan uses 1.5 Tesla and 3 Tesla MRI scanners. The choice of scanner depends on the availability at the location. Unfortunately, clients are unable to select a specific scanner themselves. However, both types of scanners provide reliable and accurate images, and the choice of scanner does not affect the outcome or quality of the examination.
MRI Protocol
The MRI protocol at Prescan has been developed in collaboration with radiologists and MRI technicians to ensure optimal image quality suitable for preventive medical research. While a standard protocol is followed, radiologists may decide to deviate from this and apply an adapted scan protocol based on the specific situation of the client.
Day Program at Prescan
What can you expect when you choose a preventive health examination at Prescan? We have outlined it for you
1
Intake
+- 10 minutes
The day begins with the intake consultation. In this conversation, the course of the examination day is explained. There's an opportunity to ask questions and discuss any specific details, ensuring everything is clear before the start of the examination.
expand_more
2
MRI scan
+- 45 minutes
Then, it's time for the MRI scan. During the MRI scan you will be guided by the technician. The technician will guide you step by step, help you position yourself correctly, and closely monitor the examination. This ensures the scan is conducted safely, comfortably, and thoroughly.
expand_more
3
Result
+- 20 minutes
Next, it's time for the results. The radiologist will thoroughly discuss the MRI images with you and clearly explain what can be seen. Any abnormalities or risk factors will be carefully discussed, so you know exactly where your health stands.
With the MRI scan, we can detect risk factors and (possible) conditions. This examination method provides a lot of information and is not harmful to your health.
During the MRI scan for Breast Implants, you lie on your stomach on a comfortable bench. Your breasts fit precisely into the shaped table. This is pushed into a tunnel that is open at the head and foot end. The scanner makes a loud clicking noise while capturing the images. Therefore, you receive headphones so you can listen to music.
During an MRI scan, it is important that you do not move while scanning. Are you claustrophobic? That doesn't have to be a problem. Your personal escort stays with you until the scan to make you feel comfortable. Our MRI scanner is extra wide, which provides a more spacious feeling. If you become anxious during the MRI scan, you can alert the technician with a bell.
The MRI scanner works with a strong magnetic field. Therefore, it's important that you do not wear metal in the scanner (such as jewelry, keys, hairpins) or have metal in your clothing (such as zippers or buttons). We ask beforehand if you have metal in your body or if you have worked with metals. This is because you might carry metal splinters without knowing. Finally, you may not wear makeup during the examination, as makeup sometimes contains metal particles.
When will I receive the results? expand_more
Immediately after the examination, you will receive the results from the specialist. This way, you know right away what to expect. We give all our attention to you and your health, which is why our specialist takes ample time to discuss the examination results with you. If anything is found that requires further investigation, we ensure a smooth referral to your general practitioner or medical specialist. This way, you know exactly where you stand and maintain control over your health.
What cannot be assessed with this examination? expand_more
It is important that you clearly understand the value of the MRI. Based on the MRI images, the radiologist cannot make statements about the functioning of the organs, complaints that only occur in a certain posture or situation, general complaints such as weight loss, weight gain or general malaise, fat distribution, bone loss (osteoporosis), and polymyalgia rheumatica.
Tumors cannot be properly assessed without contrast fluid. Even after an MRI scan with contrast, tumors often need to be further examined in a specialized center.
