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Digital MammographyConcord Imaging was the first to offer Digital Mammography in San Antonio and Bexar County. We feature the Hologic Selenia Digital Mammography System, from the leader in digital mammography. The digital mammographic images obtained demonstrate amazing clarity, much like the difference between high definition and standard television.
It doesn’t matter if patients have had mammograms elsewhere. Concord Imaging is glad to obtain previous exams from other facilities and will compare them to our current images for any changes.
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Referral Process
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How Should I Prepare For a Mammogram?
Do not wear deodorant, powder or cream under your arms it may interfere with the quality of your mammogram.
How Is Mammmography Performed?
- You will need to undress above the waist for this procedure. You will be given a wrap to wear during the mammogram.
- You and a breast imaging technologists will be the only ones present during the mammogram. The technologist will position each breast, one at a time, on the mammography equipment. The breast will then be compressed, and the x-ray will be taken.
- If you are having a screen film mammogram, the technologists will take all of the x-rays needed for the examination. She will then develop the films before you leave, to make sure each film shows the right view and exposure.
- If you are having a digital mammogram, each x-ray will appear on the technologist's computer screen, and she will be able to make sure each image shows the right view before positioning you for the next x-ray.
- The entire procedure should take about 20 minutes.
Are Mammograms Painful?
Breast compression may cause some discomfort for a brief time during each x-ray, but it should not be painful.
Breast compression helps obtain better x-rays by:
- Flattening the breast so that the maximum amount of tissue can be examined.
- Allowing a lower x-ray dose to be used, since the x-ray beams pass through a thinner amount of tissue.
- Holding the breast in place to prevent blurring caused by motion.
If you have sensitive breasts, schedule your mammogram at a time of the month when your breasts will be less tender. In, general the week after a period is when breasts are less tender.
What is Full Field Digital Mammography?
Digital Mammography uses computers and specially designed digital detectors to produce an image that can be displayed on a high resolution computer monitor, and transmitted and stored just like computer files.
From a patient's point of view, having a digital mammogram is very much like having a conventional screen film mammogram. Both film based and digital mammography use compression and x-rays to create clear images of the inside of your breast. During all mammography exams, the technologist positions the patient to image the breast from different angles and compresses the breast with a paddle to obtain optimal image quality.
Unlike film based mammography, digital mammograms produce images that appear on the technologist's monitor in a matter of seconds. There is no waiting for film to develop, which can mean a shorter time spent in the breast imaging suite.
The Benefits of Digital Mammography
Unlike other parts of the body, the breast is composed mainly of soft tissue. When breast tissue is x-rayed, it creates an image that looks something like a smoky haze, making it difficult to see tiny "spots," called microcalcifications, and other subtle signs of early cancer.
With digital mammography, the radiologists reviews electronic images of the breast, using special high resolution monitors. The physician can adjust the brightness, change contrast, and zoom in for close ups of specific areas of interest. Being able to manipulate images is one of the main benefits of digital technology.
Another convenience of digital mammography over film based systems is it can greatly reduce the need for retakes due to over or under exposure. This potentially saves additional time and reduces your exposure to x-rays.
Because they are electronic, digital mammography images can be transmitted quickly across a network. Digital images can also be easily stored, copied without any loss of information, and transmitted and received in a more streamlined manner, eliminating dependence on only one set of "original films".
For additional information please contact our office.