Screening
All of our mammography equipment provides digital imaging. There are two types of digital mammography – 2D which developed about 12 years ago and 3D which was FDA approved in 2012. Most of our equipment can perform both 2D and 3D mammography and if you know you are coming in for screening, you will be asked which type of mammogram you wish to have.
Digital mammography permits us to obtain high-resolution digital images. This allows the technologist to immediately review the images for quality, and the technique allows for fewer repeats. The radiation dose to the patient is individualized and tailored for each patient while remaining well within the allowable standards of the American College of Radiology. We are utilizing Siemens and Hologic Units that offer very high-resolution mammographic images and a larger detector than most units, which allows for imaging breasts of varying sizes. Also, by using the digital format, we are able to utilize computer assisted detection, or CAD. CAD reads each mammogram for suspicious calcifications and masses, adding another interpretive component to each study. The radiologist reviews the CAD reading in conjunction with his or her reading to create the final report. You may wait for interpretation and meet the radiologist to discuss the results of your screening. Also if there is a need for further views or a recall, these may be performed on the same day in most cases.
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Diagnostic
A diagnostic digital mammogram is used to investigate suspicious breast changes, such as a breast lump, breast pain, unusual skin appearance, nipple thickening or nipple discharge. Diagnostic mammography may also be done after an abnormal screening mammogram to diagnose the cause of the area of concern on the screening exam.
With a diagnostic evaluation, a technologist will obtain the same images as a screening exam but they will also capture special customized views under the guidance of a radiologist. This exam is customized for each patient and often requires more images to be taken, such as magnification and compression views.
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