Physicians and technologists need current information and data to make informed decisions regarding MR contrast agents. Accordingly, experts on contrast media have been assembled to present the latest data with the use of GBCAs. MR has become a routine tool used to improve diagnostic performance and guide appropriate treatment. As such, the MR community is challenged with maintaining current knowledge of trends and advances that could impact decision-making. The goal of this CME/CE-accredited educational enduring series is to educate clinicians on the usage and value of GBCAs in MR imaging, convey key information on contrast agent selection and usage while understanding the benefits of a high relaxivity option. The potential value of high relaxivity at different field strengths including 1.5T and 3T MR equipment but also new low and ultra-low field new scanners in the different MR indications including pre-operative staging, post neoadjuvant chemotherapy, post-surgical evaluation (surgical margins, breast conservation therapy).

• Review the principles behind current breast MRI protocols for breast cancer detection.
• Describe the properties and differences of available GBCAs.
• Discuss the relative relaxivities of the different GBCAs and the impact of higher relaxivity on the sensitivity and specificity of disease detection.
• Discuss the possible effects of different MR field strengths (1.5T vs 3T) on breast MRI protocols.
• Review the current indications for contrast enhanced breast MRI.
• Review Gd safety and the concerns and process of Gd deposition and factors that effect it.
• Review new techniques, abbreviated breast MRI protocols, new contrast agents and future AI applications.

The content of this CE webinar is intended for healthcare professionals including Technologists, and others.

This program has been submitted for 1.0 hour of Category A American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) credit, as designated by The International Society for MR Radiographers & Technologists (ISMRT) Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanism (RCEEM). This activity may be available in multiple formats or from different sponsors. ARRT regulations state that an individual may not repeat an activity for credit if it was reported in the same or any subsequent biennium.

Technologist CE Effective 3/2/23 – 3/3/24

Faculty and Planner Disclosures:
As an accredited provider of continuing medical education, it is the policy of Northwest Imaging Forums (NWIF) to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its activities. In accordance with this policy, faculty and planners must disclose any financial relationships with commercial interests germane to program content. Additionally, in the event a conflict of interest (COI) does exist, it is the policy of NWIF to ensure that the COI is resolved in order to ensure the integrity of the CME activity. The planner has nothing to disclose.

Christopher Comstock,
MD, FACR, FSBI

Breast Imaging Section
Department of Radiology
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Cancer Center New York, NY