Women's Imaging Services
At Grandview Medical Center, we understand that women have unique needs. To better fit your busy lifestyle, we’re created the Women’s Diagnostic Center - a separate imaging center designed solely for women.
The Women’s Diagnostic Center provides Birmingham women with imaging technology, including:
- Two 3D mammography machines that deliver a series of detailed breast images, allowing your doctor to better evaluate your breasts layer by layer.
- An ultrasound system designed for abdominal, vascular, obstetric, gynecologic, neonatal, pediatric, urological and cardiac imaging.
- A bone density scanner that analyzes bone mineral density (BMD) and lean and fat tissue masses.
To schedule an imaging procedure at the Women’s Diagnostic Center, please call (205) 971-1489.
What is a Screening Mammogram?
A screening mammogram is a special X-ray picture of the breast performed in women without symptoms to allow for the early diagnosis of breast cancer or other breast abnormalities.
Screening mammograms are performed in women who do not have any symptoms or signs of breast cancer. Higher risk women or women who have previously had breast cancer can also get screening mammograms if they are not having any symptoms. At Grandview Medical Center, we provide mammograms with modern technology in a calming and friendly environment where stress is minimized.
Currently, yearly mammograms are recommended beginning at age 40 for all women. Earlier yearly screening may be recommended in women who are at a higher risk for breast cancer or have a family history of breast cancer.
What is 3D Mammography?
Grandview Medical Center offers 3D mammography technology or breast tomosynthesis, which means the breast is imaged in thin slices. The images can be looked at like pages in a book. Studies have shown that 3D mammography allows for higher cancer detection rates and lower false positive rates. The procedure to get a 3D mammogram will feel the same as standard 2D mammography. Additionally, with 3D mammograms there is often a decreased need for additional mammogram views or “callbacks” for benign or incidental findings.
The radiation in a 3D mammogram is slightly greater than with 2D, but it is well within the allowable safe standards of the FDA and ACR. Additionally, Grandview Medical Center uses technology which can reduce the radiation dose. Based on recent evidence, 3D performs much better than 2D mammograms for cancer detection.
What is a Diagnostic Mammogram?
Diagnostic mammograms are performed when you have a symptom such as a lump felt by you or your doctor, thickening in your breast, nipple discharge, change in breast size or shape or localized pain in the breast. Diagnostic mammograms will also be performed if you have had an abnormal mammogram or a personal breast cancer history.
We use modern conventional digital and 3D mammography and if needed, high resolution ultrasound to perform diagnostic breast imaging. When you come in for a diagnostic mammogram, the radiologist will read your mammogram while you are waiting, and specialized or additional views will be performed the same day. The radiologist will talk with you before you leave to explain your study results, answer any questions and help you coordinate any follow-up. If you need any additional appointments, we will help you make them.
What is a Breast Ultrasound?
Breast ultrasound is used as a problem-solving tool for the breast. It can be used to evaluate a new lump felt by you or your doctor, or something seen on your mammogram. The ultrasound examination done in conjunction with the mammogram and/or clinical exam can help better characterize the area of interest. We will discuss all results with you at your appointment, answer any questions you may have, and communicate those results to you and your doctor.
What is a Breast Needle Biopsy?
We perform needle biopsies of the breast in the comfort of our office, using our imaging tools. Biopsies can be performed in a minimally invasive manner using ultrasound, stereotactic or 3D (tomosynthesis) guidance. We also perform cyst aspirations and fine needle aspirations. We will walk you through the procedure step by step to ease your anxiety. We want you to feel comfortable with your procedure. Our equipment allows us to see and accurately target the area that requires biopsy. We also place a tiny biopsy clip at the time of the biopsy to mark the area of concern. The biopsy samples are sent to our pathology department, and we will notify you of your results and answer your questions within two or three business days after your biopsy.
What is a Wire or Tag Localization?
If there is something found by biopsy in the breast that requires removal by a surgeon because it is breast cancer, pre-cancer or a high risk or indeterminate lesion, the surgeon will need us to perform a breast wire or tag localization. Before the surgery, a wire or tag is inserted into the breast to help guide the surgeon to the area or areas to be surgically removed. This allows the surgeon to be more precise and remove the area of concern. This procedure can be performed with mammographic or ultrasound guidance in our office the day of the surgery or a few days prior to the surgery. The technology we employ uses a “tag” placement device which allows us to localize the area before the day of surgery. Breast surgery can be very stressful so we strive to do everything we can to help alleviate as much of this stress as possible.
What is a Bone Density?
Bone density is an important part of caring for a women’s health because when women age, have removal of their ovaries or take certain medications, their bone density can decrease. Very low bone density is called osteoporosis, and can increase your risk of fractures. Because fractures can be debilitating, measurement of bone density to allow for treatment of osteoporosis is very important to prevent unnecessary fractures. A very detailed bone density report is provided to your physician and they will guide your therapy.