Comprehensive Women’s Imaging Capabilities

 

Valley Radiologists has been at the forefront of women’s imaging for decades, particularly the detection, diagnosis and staging of breast diseases. We combine focus with comprehensive state-of-the-art digital capabilities to provide the highest standard of care, from screening and diagnosis to biopsy. Using the most advanced equipment and specialists who perform women’s imaging exclusively, we’ve streamlined the process while offering unsurpassed diagnostic excellence. All with the compassion women appreciate and the accuracy on which their physicians rely.

 

Because appropriate, effective medical care depends on an accurate and complete diagnosis, the physicians at Valley Radiologists offer a complete range of imaging modalities and specialized studies for the special needs of women, including:

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Valley Radiologists now offers state of the art digital mammography at all of our mammography locations. Digital mammography allows our radiologists to interpret higher-resolution images and have the ability to zoom in and out and manipulate contrast, creating better views and leading to a complete accurate diagnosis. Additionally, digital mammography provides images more quickly while reducing patients’ radiation exposure. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and the second-most deadly. In the fight against this disease, mammography is a vital tool that allows our radiologists to detect breast cancer or other abnormalities in the earliest stages. Annual screening mammograms are recommended to begin at age 40 and are credited with helping reduce the mortality of breast cancer by as much as 40 percent. However, specific breast complaints, family history, or other risk factors may indicate the need to be screened at a younger age or with greater frequency.

Valley Radiologists is proud to offer the state-of-the-art R2 CAD system. CAD is an exciting advancement in breast imaging that gives our Women’s Imaging radiologists a computerized “second review” of mammograms. The computer-aided detection system is especially useful for identifying areas of increased density, tissue asymmetry and suspicious microcalcifications. CAD effectively functions as a “second pair of eyes” and has been shown in studies to improve detection of breast cancer by as much as 20%. 

High-resolution breast ultrasound may be used with mammography. Ultrasound is directed to areas of mammographic abnormality or symptomatic areas of the breast. Ultrasound is also used to differentiate cysts from solid masses and to guide breast biopsies.

High-resolution breast MRI is a powerful imaging modality that may be used with mammography. Breast MRI is predominantly reserved for high-risk patients, such as those with breast cancer or a known breast cancer gene, or to provide doctors with more information. With breast MRI, cancerous tissue shows greater blood flow than surrounding normal breast tissue. Cancer that is obscured by dense breast tissue on a mammogram may appear more obvious on MRI. Additionally, breast MRI is considered the “gold standard” for evaluation of breast implant rupture.

If imaging studies appear suspicious, a biopsy may be conducted to obtain a tissue sample to determine if cancer is present or not. With the area’s most complete, full-service interventional radiology team, Valley Radiologists is equipped to perform a complete array of minimally invasive breast biopsy procedures, including ultrasound-guided core biopsy or aspiration, vacuum-assisted sterotactic breast biopsy and MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy.

Ultrasound is used to guide a core needle to obtain cells from a solid lesion or a cyst. Breast imaging specialists watch in real time during the procedure, which requires only local anesthesia and no radiation.

Mammographic digital images are used to guide the core needle to obtain cells precisely from calcifications or lesions that are seen on mammograms but not on ultrasound. The procedure requires local anesthesia and only low-dose radiation.

For abnormalities detected with MRI but not with mammography or ultrasound, MRI-guided core vacuum-assisted needle biopsy is used to obtain a sample from the lesion. The procedure requires only local anesthesia and no radiation.

Women’s Imaging is one of the many areas in which Valley Radiologists continue their tradition of and commitment to patient-centered care and clinical excellence. Valley Radiologists are committed to providing patients and physicians with comprehensive imaging and accurate, reliable interpretations.

 

Click on the image to download more information on Valley Radiologists women’s imaging capabilities or if you wish to refer a patient, please call us today at 623-847-2000.