CRL Imaging
Comfort. Consultation. Care.
CRL Imaging delivers quality outpatient radiology services in three
convenient locations. We collaborate with referring physicians to
provide timely patient diagnoses, appropriate interventions and innovative
treatments. The CRL Imaging centers in Edina, Plymouth,
and Southdale offer
an array of imaging services such as MRI,
CT
scans, mammography, general
x-ray, ultrasound, bone
density scans, fluoroscopy, nuclear
medicine, and
pain
management injections.
CRL Imaging offers same-day appointments, a comfortable environment and quality staff that will take care of your needs. Contact us to find out more about your appointment.
Mammography
Breast Care
Mammography is a specific type of imaging that uses a low-dose x-ray system for the examination of the breast. A mammography exam is called a mammogram. A mammogram used to detect early breast cancer in women experiencing no symptoms is called a screening exam. A mammogram used to identify and diagnose breast disease in women experiencing symptoms such as a lump, pain or nipple discharge is called a diagnostic exam.
Mammography plays a central part in early detection of breast cancers because it can show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them. Current guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the American Cancer Society (ACS), the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) recommend screening mammography every year for women, beginning at age 40. Research has shown that annual mammograms lead to early detection of breast cancers, when they are most curable and breast-conservation therapies are available.
About the Procedure
Mammography is a simple, quick, safe and now routine way to examine the breast for any abnormalities.
Preparation
Before scheduling a mammogram, discuss any new findings or problems in your breasts with your doctor. In addition, inform your doctor of any prior surgeries, hormone use, and family or personal history of breast cancer.
Do not schedule your mammogram for the week before your menstrual cycle if your breasts are usually tender during this time. The best time for a mammogram is one week following your menstrual cycle. You will need to wait until 6 months from the time you finish breast feeding to have a mammogram. Always inform your doctor or radiologic technologist if there is any possibility that you are pregnant.
It is recommended that you:
- Do not wear deodorant, talcum powder or lotion under your arms
or on your breasts on the day of the exam. These can appear on
the mammogram as calcium spots.
- Describe any breast symptoms or problems
to the technologist performing the exam.
- If possible, obtain prior mammograms and make them available to the radiologist at the time of the current exam.
If you’ve had breast surgery for another reason, such as a benign biopsy or surgery to reduce the size of your breasts, the radiologist will want to know where those scars are in case the scar tissue has to be distinguished from another kind of breast abnormality. If you’ve had breast cancer surgery, a small metallic wire will be taped on your skin to mark your scar. Your scar defines the site with the highest risk of recurrence.
During the Procedure
During your mammogram, a specially qualified radiologic technologist will position your breast in the mammography unit. Your breast will be placed on a platform and compressed with a paddle (often made of clear Plexiglas or other plastic).Breast compression is necessary in order to:
• Even out the breast thickness so that all of the tissue can be visualized.
• Spread out the tissue so that small abnormalities won’t be obscured by overlying breast tissue.
• Allow the use of a lower x-ray dose since a thinner amount of breast tissue is being imaged.
• Hold the breast still in order to eliminate blurring of the image caused by motion.
• Reduce x-ray scatter to increase sharpness of picture.
You will be asked to change positions slightly between images. The routine views are a top-to-bottom and an oblique or side view. The process will be repeated for the other breast.
The examination process should take about fifteen minutes. When the mammogram is completed you will be asked to wait until the technologist examines the images to determine if more are needed. Total time required for paperwork, the exam, and the checking of the films should be around half an hour.
After the Procedure
You may resume normal activities.
Follow-up
A board certified Radiologist from CRL Imaging will interpret the scan and relate a written report of the information to your referring physician within 24 hours. Anything needing immediate attention will be called to the referring physician the day of the exam.
