Breast Imaging/Biopsy

Outpatient Radiology
Designated an ACR Breast Imaging Center of Excellence

 

Casper, Wyoming — Outpatient Radiology, has been designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

By awarding facilities the status of a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, the ACR recognizes breast imaging centers that have earned accreditation in mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, and breast ultrasound (including ultrasound-guided breast biopsy).

Peer-review evaluations, conducted in each breast imaging modality by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field, have determined that this facility has achieved high practice standards in image quality, personnel qualifications, facility equipment, quality control procedures and quality assurance programs.

The ACR is a national professional organization serving more than 36,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.

One in eight women, or 12%, will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Despite this fact, we can feel empowered by the opportunity that annual screening provides to detect breast cancer as early as possible. The evidence is clear that early detection of breast cancer improves the odds of survival.

The addition of tomosynthesis, or what is described as “3D” imaging, to standard two-view mammography improves the detection of breast lesions. We offer standard 2-view mammography in addition to tomosynthesis to every patient because we know what is at risk. It is so important for every female, 40 years of age and older, to undergo screening mammography that we do not require a physician’s order to perform your imaging. That’s right, all you need to do is call to make an appointment, no order required. There is nothing standing between you and your peace of mind, so please call 307-232-5054 and schedule your screening mammogram today.

When a lesion is found, our board certified radiologists will ensure that you are scheduled for the next stages of diagnosis. Imaging tests that you may require include specialized mammographic views of the involved breast also known as a “diagnostic mammogram”, a breast ultrasound, a breast MRI, and potentially a biopsy.

When it comes to breast biopsies there are many ways to obtain enough tissue to help the pathologist make an accurate diagnosis. Breast lesions can be targeted with specialized mammographic views (termed stereotactic breast biopsy), via ultrasound, or by MRI.

Stereotactic breast biopsies are performed in compression, like a mammogram. Once the breast is in compression, images are acquired and the lesion is localized. The skin overlying the lesion is then cleansed, the skin and deeper tissues are numbed with local anesthesia, and a small incision (roughly the size of a pea) is made in the skin to allow the needle to pass. Once the needle is in place and the sample is obtained, a very small marker, called a clip, is left in the biopsy cavity to identify the biopsy location should more tissue need to be removed at a later date. The skin is cleansed and a bandage is placed. Complications are rare and you can get back to your normal life immediately.

Ultrasound guided breast biopsies are performed without compression and use a small probe to locate the lesion. Once the lesion is localized, the skin overlying the lesion is cleansed, the skin and deeper tissues are numbed with local anesthesia, and a small incision (roughly the size of a pea) is made in the skin to allow the needle to pass. Once the needle is in place and the sample is obtained, a very small marker, called a clip, is left in the biopsy cavity to identify the biopsy location should more tissue need to be removed at a later date. The skin is cleansed and a bandage is placed. Again, complications are rare and you can get back to your normal life immediately.

MRI guided breast biopsies are performed with a mild degree of compression, however the breast is placed into a special depression in the MRI table. Breast imaging and biopsies are performed in the prone position, laying on your front side and face down. A small plastic grid is placed on the side of the involved breast and images are taken without and with IV contrast. Once the lesion is localized, the skin overlying the lesion is cleansed, the skin and deeper tissues are numbed with local anesthesia, and a small incision (roughly the size of a pea) is made in the skin to allow the needle to pass. Once the needle is in place and the sample is obtained, a very small marker, called a clip, is left in the biopsy cavity to identify the biopsy location should more tissue need to be removed at a later date. The skin is cleansed and a bandage is placed. Again, complications are rare and you can get back to your normal life immediately.

Our team is here to serve you every step of the way from baseline screening through problem solving imaging and tissue acquisition. If you have questions, concerns, or would like to speak to a provider please do not hesitate to call 307-232-5054 and schedule an appointment today.

Breast Imaging/Biopsy

For more information or to schedule an appointment to discuss any of these procedures please follow the link below

Cheryl Hackett from Mom's Every Day has first ever
Mammogram at Casper Medical Imaging
Part 1 and Part 2

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