Digital Mammography Offered at Methodist

The Breast Care Center at Baylor College of Medicine and The Methodist Hospital now offer digital mammography, becoming one of the first in Houston to use this groundbreaking technology for breast imaging evaluation.

The computerized breast X-ray system was recently installed at the Breast Care Center to provide patients with the latest in breast imaging technology. The digital mammography equipment, manufactured by GE Medical Systems, was purchased in part by a grant from the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Dr. Luz A. Venta, the newly appointed director of breast imaging at The Methodist Hospital and professor of radiology at Baylor College of Medicine, said digital mammography is similar to conventional mammography in that both require breast compression and radiation, but the new system gives breast imaging specialists the ability to adjust images which are available anytime and anywhere.

"The detection rate of breast cancer is the same between conventional film-screen and digital mammography. However, the new digital modality provides increased flexibility in evaluation of problem cases, particularly breast microcalcifications," Dr. Venta said.

"It's an exciting development in mammography - that's significant at a time when 32.5 million mammograms are performed annually in the United States," said Dr. Antoinette Ripepi, a breast surgeon at The Methodist Hospital.

To a patient, getting a mammogram with the digital technology will work the same way as a traditional mammogram. However, with digital mammography, the images are captured digitally and transmitted to a computer monitor, not X-ray film. This gives the technologist an immediate look at the images so in case additional images are needed, they can be obtained at that time, instead of waiting for X-ray film to be developed. Furthermore, the images are easily accessible to the radiologist, whether in the same city or in a different state. Mammograms performed on the digital mammography equipment will be sorted electronically.

Dr. Venta was involved in the digital mammography clinical trials at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago before joining Methodist in August. She is one of a few radiologists certified to train others in digital mammography.

The FDA approved digital mammography earlier this year, and studies are still under way to determine the advantages of the computerized system over traditional mammograms. There are only about two dozen digital mammogram units installed in the United States at this time.

"The Breast Care Center was created around innovative treatments and research. Digital mammography is another tool we can use to ensure that our patients receive the best care available," said Dr. C. Kent Osborne, director of the Breast Care Center.

"I want to remind women over 40 to get annual mammograms. Early detection is our best weapon in the fight against breast cancer," Dr. Venta said.

At this time, the Breast Care Center is offering digital mammogram appointments to a select group of patients who have questionable or suspicious mammograms and who request a second opinion from The Methodist Hospital breast imaging section. Call 1-888-833-4437 for information.

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