MRI better for diagnosis calcifications?

[blueskyabq]

Any one had experience that if mammogram is not clear or accurate enough to characterize the nature of tiny calcifications, will MRI be better?  Thx!!

[blueskyabq]

I do have another 2 questions, it will be greatly appreciated you can ive me your advise!

I have right breast diagnosis as BIRAD 4, a tiny cluster of calcification. I meet my BS last Thur, and she think waiting cannot solve the problem, I scheduled a Fri surgery, will do wire localization surgical excision biopsy.

1. As my coming surgery, wire localization excision biopsy.  I need go to one radiology center to do needle wiring localization procedure, then drive miles away (not myself though) to a local day surgery center to do surgery.  I don't know after wiring, is OK to carry by car for miles away to do surgery?  Will wire be move during transit then cause inaccurate? Because the surgery is based on the wire guide excision  Should I talk to my surgeon to ask?  I knew this after the person who schedule the surgery for me.   I think should be done in the same facility?  Is this a common practice?  Will this increase the possibility of infection?

I was told that because the day surgery has no that kind of radiology?  I guess because that day my surgeon will do surgery in that hospital.  But the hospital is a big one, may just the day surgery has no this facility?  The good thing though is the radiology center is the one I did my mammogram, may be more familiar my situation, as a plus side?

2. I also have done one other procedure yesterday afternoon.  It was on the other side of breast.  It shows on both mammogram and Ultrasound as a nodule and biopsy was recommended by the 1st radiologist.  I went to seek 2nd opinion, and he said it may be just a cyst, needle aspiration was recommended.  My surgeon, read over the reports, and did needle aspiration first. She said if fluid come out the lump gone, then it will be done, if it is solid then will do biopsy.  So when needle aspiration showed that fluid came out, then the nodule was gone from ultrasound. So she say need not biopsy on this one.  But the big question here is I has been read if the fluid is clear then is cyst.  But the fluid came out of my one  is light yellow color and like toothpaste, thick.   My surgeon said that may be dry.  I asked if need to send out for pathology check.  She told me that is not needed because that may cause false positive, like finding atypical cells or something, and the lump is gone, you cannot do anything.  So she told me just do follow up with US in 6 mo.  

Did you heard similar story?  The bottom line is, should I have a peace of mind now for this results - what a thick, toothpaste fluid also means cyst?  As long as the nodule is not solid, then it is benign?

Thanks in advance for your advice and help!  

[blueskyabq]

Thank you so much for your time and advise.  

One more quick question, is Biopsy better done by a breast surgeon or a breast radiologist?

[PaulMD]

Hi.

Calcifications would not be adequately detected through an MRI since MRI would better image tissues with high water content, and these calcifications does not fit the criteria.  However, the MRI can provide other (if not better) clues regarding the possibility of cancer including the condition of the tumor edges (whether the edges are irregular as compared to smooth and regular).  The MRI can also detect smaller lesions that the mammogram or an ultrasound cannot detect.

If the situation is still equivocal, then it is best to have this biopsied through fine or core needle and I suggest you discuss this with the doctors.

Regards.