What is Mammography?
- Digital mammograpy
- Stereotaxic fine needle marking study
- PACS (digital image archiving system)
In our institution we have Lorad Selenia M-IV Digital Mammography device. The obtained images are evaluated using 5 Megapixel BARCO mammography station.
The mammography image taking technique is the same with that of conventional mammography. The graphies of both breasts are taken routinely in CC (cranio-caudal) and MLO (mediolateral oblique) positions. The graphies are then visualized in a few minutes at the monitor in the room where the images are taken by the technician. In that way the position of the images and technical factors are evaluated without the need to keep the patient waiting for a long time. The images of the patient are sent to the related doctor’s working-room computer and to the PACS (image archiving system) as well. The image processing station has variable technical properties to zoom in the images one to one, to make differences in contrast and to better visualize microcalsifications. The specialist doctor evaluates the images in detail. If necessary, the specialist asks for graphies at special positions such as ML, Spot Compression, etc. If not, the imaging procedures for the patient is concluded.
At our Digital Mammography Unit, the necessary hardware is available for the biopsy procedures that use lesion marking method. Compared with conventional mammography method, the marking process is done in a much more quicker way.