Faulkner-Sagoff Breast Imaging and Diagnostic Centre
Mammography & Aurora ® MRI
Mammography

The Faulkner-Sagoff Breast Imaging and Diagnostic Centre uses state-of-the-art mammography units for screening and diagnostic mammograms.

Not only does the Centre rely on x-ray films, but full breast digital mammography is also available. Direct digital imaging allows the radiologist to adjust the density and contrast of the image so that repeat views would rarely be necessary. There are many other advantages of digital imaging which will be developed in the future.

Women who visit the Centre during regular work hours receive the results of their mammograms before they leave. All first-time patients, as well as those with signs or symptoms of a breast abnormality, are examined by a board-certified radiologist who takes the time to answer questions and provide reassurance.

Please remember that women who have had films taken previously will be asked to bring those to their appointment.

About the exam:

Women often speak of the vigorous compression used during a mammogram. First, be reassured that compression is not dangerous to breast tissue and is necessary to obtain high quality images while reducing radiation dosage. Some discomfort may occur but pain is rare. If pain is experienced the technologist can lessen the compression. It may be necessary to repeat a mammographic view for technical reasons or to do additional special views to clarify a questionable finding. In this instance it is important to remember that in the vast majority of cases this is done just to obtain a better exam.

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Aurora ® MRI
The Faulkner-Sagoff Breast Imaging and Diagnostic Centre is proud to be the site of New England's first dedicated breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. This system called Aurora ®, is an advanced MRI scanner designed specifically to image breasts. The Aurora ® MRI is the only commercially available, FDA-cleared dedicated breast imaging system available today. Since 1997, the Faulkner-Sagoff Breast Imaging and Diagnostic Centre has scanned over 5,000 patients with the Aurora ® resulting, in many cases, in the modification of treatment and/or surgical management.

Why MRI?

MRI can be used for patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer prior to surgery to evaluate the extent of the disease and to help plan the appropriate surgery. It is also used prior to surgery to evaluate tumor response in patients being treated with chemotherapy. MRI functions as a problem solving tool when a patient has a lump that can not be seen with mammography or ultrasound, or when mammography leads to ambiguous findings. The usefulness of MRI as a screening tool is being evaluated in clinical trials. It may be found to be helpful for patients who are at high risk for breast cancer, or who have dense breast tissue. Most importantly, MRI is to be used in addition to, not as a replacement for, mammography.
The Aurora ® MRI can provide the following:

Surgical planning in a patient with newly diagnosed breast cancer for extent of tumor and/or other lesions bilaterally.
Post-operative evaluation of patients with positive surgical margins.
Evaluation of the patient who presents with axillary lymph node metastases and negative mammogram.
Monitoring neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Follow-up of patients treated with lumpectomy and radiation therapy for question of recurrence.
Follow-up of ambiguous findings by clinical exam or other imaging modalities.
Evaluation of a palpable breast mass with no abnormality identified by mammogram or ultrasound.

Evaluation of patients with breast implants to check for integrity of the implant and to better visualize the over-lying breast tissue.
Screening of high risk patients with very dense breast tissue

If you have questions and want more information about breast MRI, please call Aurora Imaging Technology Inc. at (800) 476-0577 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or Click Here to visit their website.
 
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