WOMAN'S IMAGING
Digital Mammography & High Resolution Imaging
Digital Mammography is one of the most important weapons in the fight against breast cancer. Breast cancer will affect about one in eight women and is one of the leading causes of cancer death and morbidity. The key to successful treatment is early detection. Cancer screening must include routine monthly self-examination, annual mammography after the age of 40, annual physical examination by your doctor, as well as other more advanced imaging methods such as Breast MRI or Ultrasound in some cases.
Because the demand for digital mammography is so great, we have expanded our services by installing a Second Digital Mammography machine.
We realize how important the need is for women to have quick and convenient access to the best possible equipment, technology and expertise available.
Digital mammography and comprehensive breast imaging care is a real strength of Templeton Imaging. Our quality control standards are meticulous. Continuous innovation and quality improvement in breast imaging has been manifested throughout our history.
Most women don't realize how important technical quality is in mammography and how important it is to come to the same provider year in and year out. Comparison of one mammogram to another or comparison of your mammogram to other imaging methods is crucial in detecting breast cancer in many cases.
Templeton Imaging mammography is certified by the American College of Radiology and the F.D.A. In addition, our peer review processes and internal rigorous quality control standards are designed to protect your safety and ensure the quality of your exam.
In addition to mammography, we offer the full array of other breast care examinations including breast MRI, breast ultrasound, breast biopsy (ultrasound and stereotactic), Nuclear breast imaging, and pre-operative hook-wire localization procedures prior to lumpectomy. No other medical imaging practice offers a more complete array of breast care options.
BREAST ULTRASOUND
Breast ultrasound is generally used as an adjunct to mammography and other breast diagnostic techniques. It is not a screening exam for breast cancer, but instead is usually used to determine if a palpable nodule or nodule seen on mammograms is a cyst or solid nodule. Ultrasound is often also used to assess lumps in women under 30 years old or breast feeding women who are not candidates for mammography.
Ultrasound is a painless test that uses sound waves to create medical images. The patient lies on a comfortable exam table and a hand held device is used by a certified technologist to evaluate the area of interest. The exam may also be conducted by your Templeton Imaging radiologist and in all cases, is read and interpreted by a board-certified radiologist.
In some cases, patient may undergo ultrasound-guided biopsies of solid or cystic breast nodules. The procedure is very similar to all ultrasound-guided needle biopsy procedures and is performed by your Templeton Imaging radiologist.
STEREOTACTIC BREAST BIOPSY
This procedure offers a minimally invasive way of diagnosing a suspicious diagnostic imaging finding. Most women are candidates for this form of breast biopsy, which is as accurate as surgical breast biopsy, less costly, less painful, and lower in morbidity. To undergo a Stereotactic biopsy, a woman is placed in a special mammography unit. Only a local anesthetic in the skin is required. A computer assists your Templeton Imaging Radiologist in guiding a special biopsy needle into the suspicious area using digital imaging guidance. The procedure is very quick and The Radiologist will usually call you with your results the next day, after a pathologist has reviewed the tissue.
PRE-OPERATIVE HOOKWIRE LOCALIZATION
Hook-wire localization is a mammographically guided procedure performed to help guide a surgeon to a lump that will be surgically excised. It is done immediately before a surgical biopsy.
The procedure is performed by your Templeton Imaging radiologist after first obtaining your informed consent. A local anesthetic is injected in the appropriate location in the skin of the breast. A special needle is then placed into the breast using mammographic imaging guidance. After confirming accurate placement of the needle and adjusting its position when needed, the radiologist removes the needle leaving a soft hooked wire behind to help guide the surgeon.
The procedure is minimally painful and is associated with very minimal risks.
BREAST MRI
Breast MRI is valuable in the assessment of patients with difficult mammographic and clinical exams, or those with a strong family history of breast cancer. It is extremely valuable in helping distinguish benign and malignant lesions. A computer aided software is also used to help determine breast abnormalities. Injection of a small amount of intravenous contrast is necessary to optimize this examination.
HYSTEROSALPINGOGRAPHY
This is a test of the uterus and fallopian tubes and is usually done to evaluate infertility. A speculum is placed in the vagina by the radiologist and a small plastic tube is introduced into the uterus. X-ray contrast is then gently injected while the patient is flouroscopically observed and radiographs are taken. Cramping usually occurs while the contrast is injected and lasts for a few minutes in most cases. This is an excellent way to assess the lining of the uterus and whether the tubes are open.
