Your doctor has requested an MRI-guided breast needle localization. The purpose of this procedure is to help the surgeon pinpoint the correct area in your breast for biopsy. This is done by placing some dye and sometimes a small wire at the point of the abnormality. At the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center a highly-trained medical team will oversee your procedure. This team will include an imaging physician, an imaging technologist and a registered nurse.
You must not eat or drink for 8 hours prior to your procedure. If you are diabetic, you should talk to your referring physician prior to the day of your exam. You may receive special instructions with regard to medications and diet. Do not alter your diet or medications without being instructed to do so by your physician.
Do not take aspirin or aspirin-related medications for 7 days prior to your procedure. You should discuss any changes to your medications with your physician.
Please do not take vitamin E products for 7 days prior to your procedure.
Some blood tests are required prior to the biopsy. You should speak to your referring physician about these tests. If these have not been done prior to the day of the biopsy, you will be instructed to arrive for your appointment two hours early, so the blood tests can be completed and reviewed.
You will not be allowed to drive home by yourself. Please arrange to have a family member or friend drive you home.
You will need to wear a hospital gown for this procedure, so please wear clothing that you can change easily.
A radiology nurse or technologist will ask you a few questions regarding your medical history.
Please inform the technologist, radiology nurse and/or physician of any allergies you may have before your exam.
An IV line will be started.
An imaging physician will discuss this procedure with you in detail and answer any questions you may have.
You will be asked to lie face down on the scanner table.
The table you are on will slide into the scanner. This process usually includes multiple scans, so you will likely slide into the scanner more than once.
The scanner is open at the back and the front, allowing you to see out. The technologist will always be able to see and hear you during your exam.
You will be asked to hold very still and at times to hold your breath.
The exact location of the area of interest is identified and the area for incision is numbed.
The needle is inserted and a wire is placed to mark the area.
This procedure usually takes approximately 45 minutes, and please allow 1 ½ - 2 hours for your appointment.
You will be directed to the location where you will have the breast biopsy.
Following your biopsy, you will receive additional instructions.
The S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center Imaging Center is located at the corner of San Vicente Blvd. & Gracie Allen Dr. (Alden Dr.) There is a large metal sculpture in the shape of the number "8" in front of the Taper Imaging Center.
Our main parking lot is across from the center on Gracie Allen and is labeled as lot P7. Enter off Sherbourne Drive.
There is a curbside patient drop-off zone on Gracie Allen Dr.
You can also park in the Medical Center North Tower (Lot P1). The entrance is on George Burns Road. The North Tower parking offers valet service.
Parking is partially validated and validation is available in the imaging center lobby.
