WOMEN'S IMAGING
Women's Imaging
Women’s imaging is an umbrella term for an array of diagnostic tests. These tests are specially designed to help women know if they have any diseases or other health abnormalities. Women's imaging features notable benefits, including the ability to:
Diagnose
Health Issues
Women’s imaging tests, such as mammograms, can alert doctors and patients to potentially life-threatening problems. Imaging tests are crucial after a battle with cancer. Women’s imaging can alert recovering patients to the recurrence of their cancer or any adverse effects from their treatment.
Plan
Treatment
Women’s imaging not only can alert medical professionals to health problems, but also can give them important information about the nature of the issue. This information is vital when doctors and patients decide on a recovery strategy.
Limit Future
Health Issues
Medical professionals use women’s screening technologies to find and stop undiagnosed illnesses before they turn into bigger problems for their patients. These kinds of tests cannot treat or prevent any illness, but by helping to find health problems early, they can make a significant difference for the patient.
3D MAMMOGRAPHY
A 3D mammogram is an imaging test that combines multiple, low-dose breast X-rays to form a 3D image of the breast. Unlike a 2D mammogram, that takes only 4 images, a 3D mammogram acquires approximately 200 images. This enables the radiologist to scan through the breast tissue to find tumors that may not be visible on a 2D mammogram. The result is a 40% increase in the ability to detect invasive breast cancer when it is most treatable.
ADVANTAGES OF 3D MAMMOGRAPHY:
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Improves accuracy of diagnosis
3D mammography, as compared to traditional mammography, helps doctors to more effectively diagnose health issues.
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Detects cancer early
The early stages of cancer is when the disease is most treatable. 3D mammography helps healthcare professionals to catch cancer in these early stages and begin treatment as soon as possible.
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Provides advanced imaging abilities
3D mammography is capable of taking images from angles that traditional mammography cannot. Its advanced imaging technology can improve medical professionals’ ability to spot tumors that are hidden in overlapping tissue.
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Increases patient comfort
Unlike 2D mammograms, which require two separate compressions per breast, 3D mammograms only require one compression per breast. This creates a more comfortable experience for some women.
In addition to mammography, a breast ultrasound can also be a valuable test. Used alongside a mammogram, breast ultrasounds can help test dense breasts and lumps, as well as give more information about the results of a mammogram.
ULTRASOUND
An ultrasound, also known as a sonogram, is an imaging test that uses sound waves to take pictures of the inside of the body. It is performed by applying clothes-safe gel to the patient’s skin then moving a transducer back and forth over the area of interest. This transducer receives and transmits soundwaves to create a picture of the patient’s internal structures. A breast ultrasound is a type of ultrasound that can be especially powerful when used alongside a mammogram. It has the ability to further explore the findings of a mammogram and can also investigate issues such as dense breasts or breast lumps. Furthermore, ultrasound can be useful for exploring potential issues in other parts of the body as well. Ultrasounds can be performed on areas such as the pelvis, prostrate, scrotum, abdomen, thyroid, parathyroid, and more. It is commonly utilized in pregnancy to monitor the baby’s progress, movement, and other important details.
ADVANTAGES OF ULTRASOUND:
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Maximizes patient comfort
Ultrasound is typically a non-invasive procedure, meaning that there are no needles or injections. This provides an experience that is more comfortable for the patient in comparison to other procedures. On occasion, an ultrasound may be uncomfortable, but it should not create pain.
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Supplements other procedures
Because ultrasound is a type of imaging that can be viewed as the procedure is taking place, it can be extremely helpful in conjunction with other real-time procedures, such as minimally invasive fluid aspiration or needle biopsies.
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Finds abnormalities
Breast ultrasounds can be useful diagnostic tools for determining whether the patient has a lump, tumor, cyst, etc. The test can also help medical professionals know whether further testing will be required.
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Monitors fetal development
Ultrasounds can be used to monitor fetal development. At various points during pregnancy, they can be a tool to check for things like heartbeat, sex, and growth abnormalities.
Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy
An ultrasound-guided breast biopsy uses sound waves to help locate a lump or abnormality and remove a tissue sample for examination under a microscope. It is less invasive than surgical biopsy, leaves little to no scarring, and does not involve exposure to ionizing radiation. An ultrasound-guided breast biopsy can be performed when a breast imaging exam shows an abnormality such as a suspicious solid mass, a distortion in the structure of the breast tissue, and an area of abnormal tissue change.
ADVANTAGES OF ULTRASOUND-GUIDED BIOPSY:
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Increase accuracy
There is less risk with a higher degree of accuracy compared to other procedures without an ultrasound. Also, with ultrasound, it’s possible to follow the motion of the biopsy needle as it moves through the breast tissue.
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Improve patient care
The use of this technology during a biopsy increases the efficiency of the procedure and accuracy of the results, ensuring that doctors locate and remove a sample of the abnormal tissue as quickly and safely as possible.
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Less expensive
Ultrasound-guided biopsy is less expensive than other biopsy methods, such as open surgical biopsy or stereotactic biopsy.
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Fast Recovery
Recovery time is brief and patients can soon resume their usual activities.
BREAST MRI
When doctors want a more detailed image than an ultrasound or mammogram can provide, they may turn to a breast MRI. Breast MRIs utilize radiation, which allows for a more detailed image and can provide more information for medical professionals. Breast MRIs should not be used in place of imaging tests like ultrasounds or mammograms. However, for some patients with a high breast cancer risk, they can be used as part of the screening process, similar to a mammogram. For doctors, a breast MRI serves as one more important tool in their healthcare toolbelt.
ADVANTAGES OF MRI:
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Diagnoses cancer
MRI is an important imaging test that doctors use to check for cancer, particularly in cases when the mammography or ultrasound images alone are insufficient. MRIs can dive deeper into the results already found by previous testing.
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Captures more detailed images
MRI has the power to image things that traditional mammography could struggle with, such as breast implants and dense breast tissue.
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Increases safety
The gadolinium contrast used in MRIs has a lower chance of causing allergic reactions in comparison with the iodine-based contrast of x-rays and CTs.
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Improves visibility of abnormalities
MRIs help cancer doctors to analyse breast cancer lesions in their patients. Through MRI testing, such details as the location, size, and number of affected areas can be measured.
SHIN IMAGING GE 3T MRIs in Los Angeles and Orange County are extremely efficient. Utilizing shorter scan times, the 3T machine maximizes patient comfort without compromising quality. The superb reliability of high-field MRI allows our board-certified radiologists to differentiate between benign and potentially hazardous medical conditions with confidence. This allows your health-care team to provide you with earlier diagnosis and treatment, subsequently leading to more positive outcomes.
Insurance companies pay the same amount for an MRI, regardless of whether your exam is performed on a low-field or high-field magnet. Don’t compromise your health with a lower strength magnet. Take advantage of the state-of-the-art technology and friendly atmosphere at our physician owned-and-operated facility. Choose 3T Imaging.
Bone Density Scan
A bone density scan, or bone mineral density testing, can be used to measure a patient’s bone density, evaluate the patient’s risk of fracture, and even serve as an indicator for osteoporosis. Bone density scans are crucial for women who are past menopause, as aging typically results in lowered estrogen, which protects bones. A bone density scan can help give patients an awareness of whether their bones are fragile and, if so, how they can protect them.
ADVANTAGES OF BONE DENSITY SCAN:
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Test for Osteoporosis
Bone density scans are the standard in Osteoporosis testing. Bone density tests can also help alert patients if they have weak bones.
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Estimate fracture risk
Bone density scans can serve as an approximate measure of a patient’s likelihood for bone fracture. With this information, doctors can help advise high-risk patients on what kinds of precautions to take.
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Develop a treatment plan
The results of bone density scans can help doctors and patients decide what kind of treatment plan, if any, to pursue.
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Monitor a treatment’s effectiveness
Bone density scans can allow patients and doctors to monitor the effectiveness of their treatment plan.
Schedule Your Women’s Imaging Appointment
SHIN Imaging is a trustworthy and inviting space for all those in need of women’s imaging services. Equipped with state-of-the-art imaging technology, providing top-notch service is our priority. Through warmhearted care and attention to detail, our goal is to enrich our patient’s lives through an individualized and responsible imaging experience.
