Physician Information

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Breast Imaging FAQs

1. Are there questions to ask patients who are coming for biopsy?

   • Any drug allergy especially to lignocaine as lignocaine will be administered during ultrasound or stereotactic guided biopsy.
   • Whether the patient is on anticoagulation such as aspirin or warfarin as it needs to be stopped about 5 to 7 days before and after the biopsy.

2. When will the histology be ready?

   • Results are usually available in 1 to 2 working days.

Physician FAQs

3. How soon can I get an appointment?

   • In most cases appointments can be given on the same day if required. Certain examinations require specific preparation (e.g. virtual colonoscopy) and may mean appointments a few days later.

4. How soon are reports available?

   • For general x-rays, mammograms and ultrasound scans, formal reports should be ready within half an hour from completion of the study. For certain more complex CT scans such as virtual colonoscopy, results may only be available later the same day. This is also true of certain complex cases e.g. follow up scans for cancer.

5. What kind of CT scanner do you have?

   • We use a Siemens Somatom Definition Flash dual source CT scanner. This is a high end machine that excels in cardiac imaging, but is also an excellent all-round machine. The radiation dose for cardiac scans can be as much as 95% less than on older generation equipment when certain conditions are met (see below on radiation dose). It is also significantly faster and can, for example, scan the whole chest in less than 1 second.

6. I’m worried about radiation dose!

   • We are always mindful about radiation exposure and tailor all scans to utilize the least amount of radiation necessary, but without compromising on the diagnostic quality of the scan. The CT scanner we employ produces lower radiation doses compared with older generation equipment, particularly for cardiac scans. In fact, the radiation dose for cardiac scans can be as much as 95% less than on older generation equipment when conditions are met.

7. Are images and reports available in electronic format?

   • We are installing an integrated radiology information system (RIS) and picture archiving and communications system (PACS) which will allow referring doctors to access their patients’ images and reports from a web browser via a desktop PC. Please contact us if you are interested in obtaining access and checking system requirements.

8. Do you have MRI or PET-CT?

   • Not at present, although there are plans to install an MRI unit in the near future.

9. Do you do second reads on scans performed elsewhere?

   • Yes. If a formal (printed) report is required, charges will apply. We will first assess the images provided to determine if they are complete and of sufficient quality to answer the clinical question.

10. I can’t view the images on the CD you gave me!

    • Insert the CD into the PC running on Windows XP/Professional/Vista*
    • Wait for the CD to auto load the viewing software. This might take a few minutes.
    • Double-click the series of images to view.
    • To change the image brightness and density, hold down the middle mouse button and slide the mouse left/right or up/down respectively.
      
      *Only PCs running Windows XP and Vista can be used for the viewing software.

11. Where can I find the request form?

    • click here.