Breast Imaging

Breast Imaging

Mammograms

The most common procedure is a mammogram, which uses low-dose X-rays to detect breast cancer and other conditions. Mammograms can find breast cancer up to two years before a lump may be felt during a physical exam. Screening mammograms are recommended on an annual basis for all women over 40 years old. Diagnostic mammograms are performed for younger women at higher risk of developing breast cancer, or if there are breast problems, including breast pain, a lump or nipple discharge. Breast ultrasound is typically performed instead of a mammogram for women under 30.

Breast Tomosynthesis

LifeBridge Health is proud to offer patients breast tomosynthesis technology at the Herman & Walter Samuelson Breast Care Centers at Northwest Hospital. Breast tomosynthesis, also called three-dimensional (3-D) mammography, is an advanced form of breast imaging where multiple images of the breast from different angles are captured and reconstructed into a three-dimensional image set. Studies have shown that breast tomosynthesis results in improved breast cancer detection rates, earlier detection of small cancers, greater accuracy in pinpointing the size, shape and location of abnormalities, fewer unnecessary biopsies or other tests, greater likelihood of detecting multiple tumors and clearer images of abnormalities within dense breast tissue.

Other Breast Scans

Other breast imaging services include:

• Galactography, a low-dose X-ray exam that uses mammography and a contrast material to obtain pictures, called galactograms, of the inside of the breast's milk ducts. Galactography is typically used to evaluate a woman who has a bloody or clear discharge from her breast nipple and an otherwise normal mammogram.

• Scintimammography, which uses small amounts of radioactive materials called radiotracers, a special camera and a computer to help investigate an abnormality discovered on mammography. Its ability to detect cancer is not limited by dense breast tissue or breast implants, and it can reduce unnecessary procedures by helping determine whether an abnormality requires biopsy.

Breast Biopsy

If an abnormality is detected, a breast biopsy is recommended to determine whether a growth is benign or cancerous.

• Stereotactic biopsy uses mammography to help locate a breast lump or abnormality and remove a tissue sample for examination. It’s less invasive than surgical biopsy, leaves little to no scarring and can evaluate calcium deposits or tiny masses not visible on ultrasound.

• Ultrasound-guided biopsy uses sound waves to help locate a lump or abnormality and remove a tissue sample for examination. It is less invasive than surgical biopsy, leaves little to no scarring and does not involve exposure to ionizing radiation.

• MRI-guided biopsy uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to help locate a breast abnormality and guide a needle to remove a tissue sample. It does not use ionizing radiation and leaves little to no scarring.