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Please refrain from wearing deodorant, lotions or powders. If this is your first visit to Murray Hill Radiology, please bring recent prior original mammograms if available; these are important for comparison with the current mammogram. You will be given a clinical breast examination by the radiologist. A full field digital mammogram will be performed by one of our experienced mammography technicians. The mammogram will be read with the results and any further recommendations discussed with you immediately.

Please inform our staff in advance if any of the following situations apply:

• You or your doctor have noted a lump, nipple discharge, or specific breast-related problem

• You are nursing or recently post-partum or are pregnant, or think you might be

Since we are measuring the density of bone, it is important not to have any clothing or jewelry that can interfere with analysis. Please come to the office wearing easily removable clothing and jewelry (including body jewelry). Avoid long lined bras, bras with under wires, clothing with metallic stays, buttons of any kind and shirts with metallic threads or glitter. Loose athletic clothing with elastic supports is generally acceptable. Postpone the test if you have recently had a contrast study with barium, (barium enema or upper GI series).

No special preparation is necessary on your part. You may be more comfortable if you come for the examination wearing a two-piece outfit. The examination is performed by an experienced breast radiologist who will correlate the study with the most recent mammogram and a prior sonogram, if one has been done previously. The radiologist will give you immediate results and discuss any further recommendations or need for follow-up tests.

You will be escorted to the MRI suite by the technologist or her assistant. The examination takes approximately 25 minutes, however, you should allow about an hour for the visit.

For your comfort, we will provide a set of scrubs for you to wear during the examination. It will be necessary for you to take off your watch, jewelry and any removable metallic items such as hair pins. A locker is provided for your valuables.

An IV will be placed for the administration of a contrast agent necessary for this test. An IV and contrast will not be required if the test is being performed solely for the evaluation of rupture of silicone implants.

The MRI will be interpreted by two radiologists and correlated and compared with your most recent studies. You will be given the results by the interpreting radiologist, usually within 48 hours. If your most recent mammogram or if a prior MRI was done at another facility, please make these available to us on or before the date of your MRI appointment.

If you feel you that will need a sedative to be prescribed due to claustrophobia or extreme anxiety, please discuss this with your primary physician and have someone accompany you to the appointment.

If you are over the age of 60, have diabetes, hypertension or known kidney problems, please have the results of a kidney function blood test sent to our office prior to the date of your MRI . The lab results can faxed to our office at 212-683-3092.

Please speak with our staff for further information and clarification. We will provide you with a bottle of water when you leave; make sure to drink plenty of water following the examination and the day after.

We use various types of imaging; mammography, MRI or ultrasound to guide a needle to obtain a sample of tissue. The imaging modality and type of needle used will depend on how the area of concern is best seen by the radiologist.

Local anesthesia is used. No sutures are required. You will leave with a band aid or steri-strips and a sterile gauze dressing over the area. There is virtually no "downtime" and generally patients return to work that day or the next. After a stereotactic or a MRI biopsy, there will be some restrictions on exercise for a few days. These biopsies may sometimes result in bruising, which can be treated with an ice pack. Post-biopsy discomfort is generally very minimal and controlled with acetaminophen. You will be given simple written post-biopsy care instructions.

Some medications and supplements can increase bleeding and bruising. The following is a guide regarding the use of medications prior to biopsy:

Do not take any of these medicines one week prior to procedure:

• Aspirin or any medicine that contains aspirin

• Ibuprofen

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories

• Vitamin E or multivitamins containing Vitamin E

• Or any of the following medicines: Advil, Alka-Seltzer, Anacin, Arthritis Pain Formula, Ascription, Aspergum, Bayer products, Bufferin, Cope, Darvon Compound, Empirin, Excedrin, Ecotrin, Fiorinal, Indocin, Midol, Motrin, Naprosyn, Nuprin, Percodan, Relafen, Vanquish, Motrin IB, Plavix.

You May take Tylenol (acetaminophen) or any of the medicines listed:

Anacin-3, Datril, Darvocet-N100, Excedrin PM, Fiorcet, Panadol, Percocet, Sine-Aid Tylenol, Tylenol with codeine.

If you are taking Plavix, Coumadin or other blood thinners (anti-coagulants), discuss with your referring doctor or appropriate specialist whether you can stop the medication and if you are a candidate for this procedure. You may eat or drink and take your usual medications on the day of the biopsy. Bring or wear a supportive bra.

The sample of tissue is sent for analysis by an experienced breast pathologist. We will discuss with you the results and recommendations for any further management usually within 24-48 hours of performing the biopsy. We will assist you in making arrangements for consultation with a breast surgeon if needed.

No specific preparation is required on your part. It is advised that you wear a two piece garment for your comfort. A referral from your doctor with the indications for the study and any relevant history should be provided to our office. The examination takes about one hour and is performed by one of our radiologists.