Breast Procedures

Screening Mammogram

A screening mammogram is a routine examination recommended yearly for women over the age of forty unless clinically indicated sooner. This procedure should be done along with a yearly breast examination by your doctor. Monthly self-examinations should be performed by women eighteen years and older.

Diagnostic Mammogram

Diagnostic mammogram is a radiographic examination used to further investigate a finding on screening mammography, a lump felt by the patient, and breast cancer survivors. The most common reasons for this diagnostic screening is a lump, unusual nipple discharge, localized breast pain, nipple retraction, dimple or skin thickening.

Breast Ultrasound

This procedure uses sound waves to produce pictures inside the breast to characterize lesions seen on mammography or palpable lumps.

Breast MRI

This powerful technology provides a clearer picture of dense breast tissue, tissue surrounding breast implants, and small areas of cancer that may escape detection in a mammogram.

Cyst Aspiration

Ultrasound imaging is used to guide a needle to aspirate fluid from a cyst.

Ductogram

Patients with a discharge from the nipple may benefit from this procedure. A tiny catheter is inserted into the nipple. A small amount of dye is injected into the duct. This outlines the duct making any abnormalities visible on x-ray.

Breast Biopsies

• Ultrasound-Guided Core Biopsy - In this procedure, ultrasound is used to guide a biopsy needle into an area that appears abnormal on an ultrasound.
• Stereotactic Biopsy - Stereotactic biopsy uses mammography pictures to guide a biopsy needle into the correct location.
• MRI-Guided Biopsy - This procedure uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to guide a biopsy needle into an abnormal area seen only on a MRI.