Services

Digital Mammography

Mammography is a specific type of imaging where low dose radiation is used to look at the breast. This can be a screening mammogram when the patient does not present with any breast complaint. The purpose of this is to screen for early cancer. A diagnostic mammogram can also be performed when a patient presents with a specific breast complaint and the mammogram is used to investigate the particular area of interest. After looking at the mammogram, the radiologist then decide if extra views are needed to focus on a particular region or another tool like ultrasound is needed for further evaluation.

In Pacific Healthcare Imaging, we have a Hologic Selenia Full Field Digital Mammography (FFDM) machine which decreases the radiation dose, shortens the time taken to perform mammography and enhance your mammography experience. Hologic Selenia FFDM is the first digital mammography machine to be certified to have high image quality and low radiation dose by European Reference (EUREF) Organization Council for Quality Assured Breast Screening and Diagnostic Services (http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/hologic/39361/).

Early breast cancer usually present as microcalcifications (tiny calcium dots) and digital mammography is good at picking up microcalcifications in the breast.

Computer Aided Detection software

Computer Aided Detection (CAD) is a FDA approved technology that helps radiologists to analyse your mammogram. It does not replace the radiologist but acts as a second pair of eyes, very much like a “spellchecker”, helping to identify certain features in a mammogram that may need further evaluation.

Studies have shown that CAD increases the sensitivity of picking up a cancer by about 10%*.

*Gromet M, Comparison of Computer-Aided Detection to Double Reading of Screening Mammograms: Review of 231, 221 Mammograms AJR: 190, April 2008 190:1-6.

Breast Ultrasound

Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to look at the breast. No radiation is involved. It is useful as a diagnostic tool, helping to further evaluate lumps or other findings that are not well characterised on mammography. It is very useful in differentiating between a solid mass and a cyst within the breast.

Ultrasound Guided Fine Needle Aspiration

Local anaesthetic is given and a small needle (similar to the ones used for drawing blood) is used under ultrasound guidance, to remove cells from a lump or fluid from a cyst for diagnostic purposes.

Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration can also be used for therapeutic purpose, relieving the pain caused by big cysts.

Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy

Local anaesthetic is given and a slightly bigger needle is used to remove some tissue from a lump for examination under a microscope. A list of instructions for post procedure care after the biopsy can be obtained here.

X-Ray Guided Breast Biopsy

When lumps or microcalcifications are seen on a mammogram and not on ultrasound with features that are indeterminate or suspicious, there will be a need to do a biopsy. We have a dedicated Hologic prone biopsy table which allows the patient to lie down in comfort while the biopsy is being performed. A list of instructions for post procedure care will be given after the biopsy.