Larchmont Imaging is proud to be the first and only provider in Burlington County and surrounding communities to offer DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY - a woman's newest ally in the fight against breast cancer.

Digital Mammography with computer aided detection is now available at Larchmont Imaging Associates. Mammography remains the best method of early breast cancer detection; however traditional film screen mammography is limited in its ability to detect some cancers, especially in women with dense breast tissue.

A large multi-center clinical trial on 50,000 women has shown that digital mammography has improved the detection rate in three groups of women: women under 50, women with dense or very dense breast tissue of any age, and pre or peri-menopausal women. The study also reported equal accuracy for all other women when compared with standard film screen imaging.

Most radiology imaging is currently done by digital technology including Ultrasound, CT scan, MRI and more recently standard x-rays. Due to the high resolution and contrast needed for quality mammography imaging, it was the last area to convert to digital imaging.

Digital mammograms are analogous to digital photography. The electronic images are displayed on a computer screen. The radiologist can then manipulate the digital mammogram electronically to magnify an area, change contrast or brightness, or compare it in a variety of ways to a prior study. Comparing mammograms to a prior study remains a very important part of the examination. Very small changes may only become apparent in direct comparison to an older study. Once a patient has had a digital mammogram, it will be readily available on a computer server for future comparison.

Digital Mammography images can also be reproduced onto computer discs (CD's) for ordering physicians. CD's are less cumbersome and easily transferable compared to conventional film. Digital images are also available to referring clinicians to view through a secure web based server.

The digital mammogram machine is similar in appearance to the film screen machine, although there will be more electronic components in the room. The breast positioning and compression are similar. Breast compression remains a very important part of the examination. Compression flattens the breast so there is less tissue overlap for better visualization of anatomy and potential abnormalities, lowers the x-ray dose since a thinner amount of breast tissue is imaged, and immobilizes the breast in order to eliminate blurred images caused by motion.

What will be different is the exam time. The technologist will now have the image displayed in front of her within 10 seconds, eliminating the long wait for film processing. If a repeat view is needed for positioning or technical reasons, it can be performed right away. Digital mammograms can be manipulated, to a degree, to correct for under or over exposure after the exam is completed, eliminating the need for some women to undergo repeat mammograms before leaving the office.

Digital images are more detailed due to improved contrast between the dense and non-dense breast tissue. Digital mammograms offer a better view of breast tissue directly under the skin and closer to the chest wall than standard film screen mammography. This can be done by altering the image contrast and brightness and electronically magnifying areas where needed.

The full field digital mammography system is equipped with a computer-aided detection system called iCAD. This software system assists radiologists during their review of mammograms by directing the radiologist's attention to areas that contain features associated with breast cancer that may warrant a second review. The radiologist evaluates the images, and then activates the iCAD software. Markers are placed over areas that will then be reevaluated before the final interpretation is made.

In summary, mammography remains the best method of early breast cancer detection. Digital mammography has been proven to be more effective than film screen mammography in some women and equally effective in all women. Your exam will be performed much more quickly and efficiently. The radiologist now has the ability to manipulate the images and utilize computer aided detection to make as accurate an interpretation as possible.

The dedicated mammography team at Larchmont Imaging has over 25 year of experience and has interpreted nearly a million mammograms. There are 3 convenient locations to serve you in Burlington County - Mt Laurel, Medford and Willingboro. For more information on digital mammography, our locations, or the many other imaging services provided, such as MRI, CT Scan, PET, Ultrasound and X-ray or to make an appointment please call 609-261-4500.