Advancements in Breast Imaging Ensure Accurate and Early Diagnosis

Imaging Specialists' radiologists are taking no chances when it comes to breast cancer diagnosis. The gold standard imaging tool for breast cancer detection, Imaging Specialists houses the 3T Open MRI (2nd of its kind) with breast coils and computer-aided detection and breast biopsy.

"Early and accurate breast detection has come a long way in the last two years," says Jennifer Cranny, MD, Women's Imaging Director at Imaging Specialists. "We made an investment in those advancements."

According to guidelines published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, the addition of high-quality breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to other imaging techniques such as mammography can help evaluate the extent of the cancer in women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, and can also be used to screen the opposite breast for cancer.

Both recommended and reimbursed as a superior tool for breast cancer diagnosis and staging, the critical patient next step is determining "high-quality".

The radiologists at Imaging Specialists use the most advanced technology available today. DYNA-CAD, computer-aided detection software, provides a sensitive image that can help resolve an unknown or inconclusive result given by a mammogram. This supports the trained eye of the radiologists in their detection and staging of the smallest of tumors.

Additionally, 3T MRI has a higher sensitivity than the standard 1.5T, which may help decrease the number of unnecessary biopsies. A recent article in Applied Radiology concludes "when compared with more standard protocols at 1.5T, breast MRI at a 3T magnetic field strength provides several opportunities for improving diagnostic image quality."

3T Breast MRI is more sensitive at detecting small lesions than 1.5T.  This is important in imaging dense breast tissue common in younger, high risk women.  Dense breast tissue makes these women’s mammograms very difficult to read, and they may benefit from the more intensive breast MRI procedure.

There are only a handful of 3T MRIs in the country, and Imaging Specialists was the first in the tri-county area to have access to this modern technology.

The private, beautifully appointed Women's Imaging suite at Imaging Specialists of Charleston offers:

• digital mammography with CAD
• 3D/4D ultrasound
• DEXA bone densitometry
• 3T breast MRI with advanced breast coils
• CAD guided breast MR biopsies.

Most importantly, we provide same-day results to anxious patients.
View more information about our Women’s Imaging Services.