Mammography
The goal of the breast imaging area at Metro Health Hospital
is to provide high quality services in a private, professional atmosphere. We have a special area just for women where you'll find an attractive waiting room with its own private entrance, exam rooms and an education office — all in a comfortable, confidential setting.
As part of our commitment to provide the best patient experience,
we place a MammoPad on our machine for a softer mammogram. We are registered by the American College of Radiology, an accrediting body that monitors quality and service. Our staff includes board certified radiologists, mammographic technologists who are registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and registered nurses. Every year, we perform 14,000 mammographic procedures.
We provide comprehensive breast diagnostic services and second opinion consultations including:
- Screening mammography - also known as an "annual" or "yearly" mammogram. This is a true screening tool, comparing the mammogram to last year's mammogram. The goal is to identify changes, if any, when compared to the patient's previous mammogram. Patients can self refer (make an appointment for a screening mammogram) without a physician's order. The screening mammogram is for patients who have no previous history of breast cancer.
- Breast physical examination - education and examination performed by RNs
- Breast self-examination instruction - RNs teach the patient to properly perform breast self-examination.
- Breast ultrasound imaging - used in conjunction with mammography in some cases to aid in further evaluating specific areas of the breast
- Diagnostic mammography - used only for those who have a history of breast cancer or previous breast surgery.
- Ductography - a special imaging study of the mammary ducts in the breast
- Stereotactic core biopsy - a small sample of tissue is removed from the breast for evaluation by the pathologist. This procedure uses image guidance provided by X-ray equipment designed specifically for this purpose only and is performed under a local anesthetic.
- Ultrasound-guided core and mammotome biopsy - a small sample of breast tissue is removed for evaluation by a pathologist. Ultrasound is used to guide the radiologist and identify the precise location of interest. This procedure is performed with a local anesthetic.
- Ultrasound-guided cyst aspiration - procedure where fluid within a cyst in the breast is removed. An ultrasound unit is used to guide the radiologist to the precise location of the cyst and provide image guidance during the removal of the fluid. This is a local anesthetic procedure.
- Wire localization of breast lesion - a procedure where the radiologist, using mammography, identifies a particular region of the breast just prior to surgery. A surgeon will then remove the specified tissue of the breast in surgery and send that tissue to pathology for analysis. These procedures are performed in surgery with anesthesia provided by an anesthesiologist.
Hours:
Diagnostic mammograms: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Biopsy procedures: Monday-Friday at specified times
Screening: Monday - Thursday, 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday, 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.