Women's
Imaging

Radiology Group of Abington’s radiologists have expertise in the full range of women’s diagnostic needs including breast imaging, pelvic and reproductive organ ultrasounds and diagnosing osteoporosis using DEXA scan. RGA is committed to the fight against breast cancer and offers a broad range of diagnostic and interventional women’s imaging procedures using the latest technology. Breast tomosynthesis is now available at all locations that provide mammography

Womens Imaging Procedures

Mammography

A low radiation dose x-ray procedure that is used to detect abnormalities in breast tissue. At Jefferson Health Abington we use advanced digital 3D mammography.

Breast Ultrasound

This is a safe and valuable diagnostic tool that uses sound waves to evaluate the breast. It can determine whether a breast mass contains fluid (is a cyst) or is solid. Because it uses no radiation, it is helpful in the evaluation of women with breast masses who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or under 30 years of age and would not ordinarily undergo mammography. For more information on Breast Ultrasound visit Radiology Info.

Breast MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

A diagnostic procedure of the breast that may be ordered to evaluate a breast lesion. It may help to distinguish between a benign or malignant condition and may eliminate the need for an invasive biopsy procedure. Breast MRI is also used to evaluate the extent of malignant disease in the breast of patients with breast cancer and for high risk screening of certain patients. Intravenous injection of contrast is routine.

Stereotactic Guided Breast Biopsy

A minimally invasive procedure that uses special mammography equipment to guide the radiologist to the location of the breast that must be sampled for laboratory evaluation.

Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy

A minimally invasive procedure that uses ultrasound equipment to guide the radiologist to the location of the breast that must be sampled for laboratory evaluation.

Ductography / Galactography

A minimally invasive x-ray procedure of the ducts in the breast. It requires the use of x-ray dye and mammography equipment and is performed by one of our women’s imaging specialists. For more information on Ductography visit Radiology Info.

Breast Lymphoscintigraphy or Sentinel Node Study

A nuclear medicine procedure performed in conjunction with the patient’s breast and axillary lymph node surgery. The procedure is done to locate the first lymph node (also called the sentinel node) in the lymphatic chain to see if cancer has spread to that area. If the procedure shows that the sentinel node has not been affected by cancer the patient can be spared a full axillary dissection and possible future complications. For more information on Lymphoscintigraphy visit Radiology Info.

Breast Density and Breast Cancer Screening

Having dense breast tissue may increase your risk of getting breast cancer. Dense breasts also make it more difficult for doctors to spot cancer on mammograms. Dense tissue appears white on a mammogram. Lumps, both benign and cancerous, also appear white. So, mammograms can be less accurate in women with dense breasts.  Please click here for more information on breast density.

Other Women’s Imaging Procedures

Pelvic Ultrasound

A noninvasive diagnostic imaging procedure used to evaluate the pelvic cavity and its contents including the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. For more information on Pelvic Ultrasound visit Radiology Info.

Fetal Ultrasound or Obstetrical Ultrasound

A noninvasive diagnostic imaging procedure that uses ultrasound waves and no ionizing radiation to evaluate the fetus. It is useful in determining the stages of pregnancy and the presence or absence of a fetal abnormality. For more information on Obstetrical Ultrasound visit Radiology Info.

Hysterosonography

A noninvasive diagnostic procedure in which a sterile saline solution is slowly infused into the uterus while ultrasound imaging takes place. It may be ordered to evaluate problems with infertility and abnormalities of the uterus. For more information on Hysterosonography visit Radiology Info.

Hysterosalpingography

A diagnostic procedure that uses contrast media or x-ray dye and x-ray imaging. The patient’s gynecologist inserts a catheter through the cervix and into the uterus. Contrast media is injected into the catheter and flows into the uterus and fallopian tubes. The contrast media allows these structures to be visualized on an x-ray. Hysterosalpinography may be ordered to evaluate suspected abnormalities of the uterus and fallopian tubes and to determine the possible causes for infertility. For more information on Hysterosalpingography visit Radiology Info.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization

A minimally-invasive surgical procedure performed by an interventional radiologist to treat conditions involving the presence of uterine fibroid tumors by blocking their blood supply and shrinking them.

DEXA – Bone Densitometry

An x-ray procedure that is used to measure a patient’s bone mineral density (osteoporosis), which is an indicator of bone strength.