Digital Mammography
The London Clinic has recently installed a
Siemens Novation™ digital Mammography unit in addition to our
conventional analogue (film-based) machine.
A digital
mammogram is the same as a standard analogue (regular film)
mammogram in that the breast is compressed and X-rays are used to
create clear images of the breast. The time needed to carry out the
mammogram is the same for both methods. With conventional
analogue mammography, low energy x-rays pass through the compressed
breast during the examination. The exiting x-rays are
absorbed on a photographic film which is then developed into a
mammographic image that is read by the radiologist.
In digital mammography low energy x-rays are
also used to create images of the breast. The difference is that
these images are recorded by means of an electronic digital
detector instead of photographic film, a process not dissimilar to
the technology used in digital cameras. The electronic image can be
displayed on a high resolution computer monitor from where the
radiologist can use advanced computer technologies to manipulate
the image to better visualise certain breast tumours that are
currently difficult to see on a conventional film.
The advantages of digital mammography over
conventional mammography can be summarised as follows:
- Faster image acquisition (less than a minute)
omitting the need for patients to wait for film
developing. This means that the patient
does not have to wait while the films are
developed
- Improved contrast between dense and non-dense
breast tissue
- Improved image quality for all patients, but in
particular those
◊ Under age
50, regardless of what level of breast tissue density they have
◊ Of any age
with very dense or extremely dense breasts
◊ Pre or
perimenopausal women of any age (defined as women who had a
last
menstrual period within 12 months of their mammograms)
- Ability to correct under or
over-exposure of films without having to repeat mammograms
- Radiologists manipulation of
breast images for more accurate detection of breast cancer
- Immediate availability of images for associated
consultants and remote consultation with
other physicians as our PACS system
allows consultants to review their patient’s images
remotely.
- Easier image storage as film copies are no longer
required and no risk associated with films
being lost in transit between hospitals.
For more information, please contact our
Breast Centre co-ordinator,
on 020 7616 7766/ breastcentre@thelondonclinic.co.uk