PREP:

Do not use any lotion, deodorant or body powder around the breasts or under your arms, or you may wash it off when you arrive.
At the time your appointment is scheduled, you will be asked if you have had previous mammograms at another facility. If so, please have that facility's name, address & telephone number available.
Wear a 2-piece outfit so that you can easily undress from the waist up.
Notify the technologist if there is a possibility that you could be pregnant.
Arrive 20 minutes before appointment time to complete registration.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Once in the Mammography Room you will be asked to change into a special mammography gown.
Two different x-ray images of each breast will be obtained. During this time firm, but not excessive, compression will be applied to your breasts in order to obtain the highest quality images.
Once the technologist performs a quality verification on the films, you will be able to leave. Your study will be read later in that day. It is possible that the doctor reading your exam will want you to return for "special views"; this is not out of the ordinary and should not necessarily be a cause for concern. If that is the case, you will be contacted and an appointment made for you within the next 2 weeks.
Total estimated time of procedure: 20 minutes.

Diagnostic Mammogram

PREP:

Do not use lotion, deodorant or body powder around the breasts or under your arms, or you may wash it off when you arrive.
At the time your appointment is scheduled, you will be asked if you have had previous mammograms at another facility. If so, please have that facility's name, address & telephone number available.
Wear a 2-piece outfit so that you can easily undress from the waist up.
Notify the technologist if there is a possibility that you could be pregnant
Arrive 20 minutes before your appointment time to complete registration.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Once in the Mammography Room you will be asked to change into a special mammography gown.
A number of different x-ray images will be taken of your breast (both breasts, if so ordered). During this time firm, but not excessive, compression will be applied to your breast(s) in order to obtain the highest quality images.
Upon completion of the filming, you will be asked to wait while a radiologist reviews your images. The radiologist may order additional ultrasound images at this time.
At the end of the exam, you will be given your results (providing your referring physician has granted us permission to share the results with you).
Total estimated time of procedure: 30-45 minutes.

Ductogram

PREP:

At the time your appointment is scheduled, you will be asked if you have had a previous mammogram at another facility. If so, please have that facility's name, address, and telephone number available. If you have access to the actual films, please bring them with you.
Wear a 2-piece outfit so that you can easily undress from the waist up.
Notify the technologist if there is a possibility that you could be pregnant.
Arrive 20 minutes before appointment time to complete registration.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Once in the Mammography Room you will be asked to change into a special mammography gown.
The breast to be examined will be checked for a discharge & cleansed with an alcohol swab.
The skin will be anesthetized and the radiologist will insert a needle into the duct in question. A contrast material will then be injected into the duct (you may experience some short, mild discomfort during the injection).
X-ray images are obtained of the contrast-filled duct.
After the images are reviewed by the radiologist, the results will be discussed with you. Treatment options will be decided by you and your physician.
Total estimated time of procedure: 45-60 minutes.

PREP:

Wear a 2-piece outfit so that you can easily undress from the waist up.
Notify the technologist if there is a possibility that you could be pregnant.
Arrive 20 minutes before appointment time to complete registration.
It is best to have someone with you who can drive you home. It is possible that you will be given medication that would inhibit your ability to drive.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Once in the Mammography Room you will be asked to change into a special mammography gown.
You will have your temperature and blood pressure taken.
You will be asked to lie face-down on a special x-ray table with the breast to be biopsied protruding through an opening in the table.
After the application of some mild compression, x-ray images will be obtained to determine the exact area for biopsy.
Local anesthesia will be administered. Tissue samples will be obtained using a Mammotome™ biopsy instrument.
Once the tissue sampling is complete, a very small metal clip may be inserted into your breast to mark the exact location of the biopsy.
Your skin will again be cleansed and Steri-strips applied, along with ice (you will be asked to keep the area iced until evening).
Do not drive yourself home if you have been advised against it or if you feel unable.
Lab results from the tissue samples will be available to your referring physician in 2-3 working days.
Total estimated time of procedure: 1 hour.

PREP:

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Upon arrival at XRC Medical Imaging, you will be taken directly into a Mammography Room.
You will be seated in a special chair & positioned as needed to perform the procedure.
The area of concern will be identified using x-ray images.
Your skin will be anesthetized prior to the insertion of a small needle.
Once the needle is in the exact area of concern, a fine wire is passed through the needle, then the needle is removed.
Follow-up x-ray images are taken to document the correct location of the wire.
Steri-strips are applied to secure the wire in place; gauze is used to cover the entire area.
You will then be escorted back to the Surgery Center for your surgery appointment.
While you are in surgery, tissue that is removed will be brought back to XRC Medical Imaging for a "specimen radiograph", so as to ensure that the area in concern was indeed removed.
Total time of procedure (at XRC Medical Imaging): 30-45 minutes.