Making Quality Technical Decisions: No Free Lunch in MRI

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) stands out among other MRI applications in its intense need for high resolution, high contrast, and rapid scan time. These technical constraints push MRI technology to the extreme—choices made for a particular protocol may result in advantages and limitations. Decisions and their outcomes are discussed for reconstruction methods, pulse sequences, radiofrequency systems, shimming systems, and dynamic approaches. Technical choices will depend on the manufacturer and principal purpose for the scanner. The appropriate choices will vary if the system is designed for whole body applications or if it is a dedicated breast system. Quality MRI technology will facilitate optimal demonstration of subtle lesions and allow consistent imaging of all patients.