A digital mammogram takes less time to perform and typically involves a lower radiation dose to the patient. It also give us the ability to optimize the image, very similar to the way you optimize a digital photograph. Images are stored electronically so the is less chance of images being lost. In addition, images can be interpreted remotely, so second opinion interpretations may become easier.

Recent studies indicate a higher cancer detection rate of digital mammography in certain patients, including those with dense breasts, those under 50 years old, and those who are pre- or peri-menopausal.

Digital mammography is similar to standard mammography in that x-rays are used to produce detailed images of the breast. The difference is that Digital Mammography is equipped with a digital receptor and generates computerized images immediately instead of a film cassette that needs to be developed into a film. A similar comparison is a standard camera to a digital camera. We are the first and only site in Connecticut to offer Digital Mammography with Computer Aided Detection(CAD).

One of the most recent advances in x-ray mammography is digital mammography. Digital (computerized) mammography is similar to standard mammography in that x-rays are used to produce detailed images of the breast. Digital mammography uses essentially the same mammography system as conventional mammography, but the system is equipped with a digital receptor and a computer instead of a film cassette.

Digital mammography captures the x-ray images on a digital detection rather than on x-ray film, as with conventional mammography. In January 2000, the FDA approved a digital mammography system that may offer potential advantages over the use of standard x-ray film. Studies comparing digital and conventional mammography are ongoing.

Will you be able to compare past analog mammograms to digital mammograms? Your analog mammogram produced only an analog hard copy film that was read by a Radiologist. With a Digital mammogram, your image can be read and stored electronically in digital format, and may also converted from a digital image to film for reading and storage. In either case, the images can be compared from exam to exam and from digital to analog.

Both digital and conventional mammography use x-ray radiation to produce an image of the breast; however, conventional mammography stores the image directly on film, whereas digital mammography takes an electronic image of the breast and stores it directly in a computer. This allows the recorded data to be enhanced, magnified, or manipulated for further evaluation.

Analog mammography uses x-ray to record images on film using an x-ray cassette. Films are then "developed" and produced and put on a light box and read by the Radiologist. With Digital mammography the x-rays produce a digital image on a screen while the patient is still in position. The technologist has the ability to review these in "real time" to determine image quality.

Mammography (mammogram) is an x-ray exam of the breast. Most mammography is done as a baseline or screening exam. This exam is useful in diagnosis of breast disease and in detection of cancer. Most breast disease is not malignant or cancerous. If cancer is present, finding it early improves your chances of being treated successfully. If you, or your doctor have felt a breast lump, mammography may aid in detecting other lumps or a lump in the other breast which cannot be felt yet.

Norwalk Radiology and Mammography Center uses state of the art equipment with the lowest possible dose techniques. All of our interpreting Radiologists are Board-Certified by the American College of Radiology and our technologists have advanced certification to perform mammography. Our center is certified by the FDA under the Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992 and accredited by the American College of Radiology.

Patients will feel firm pressure but no significant pain. If you feel discomfort, please inform the technologist. The quality of your mammogram is greatly dependent on compression of the breast, which may sometimes cause discomfort (the discomfort is brief). Compression decreases breast motion that can cause blurry images. Thicker breast tissue also causes x-ray scatter and that degrades images. The total x-ray dose to the breast is greatly reduced by good breast compression.

Cost: Every film shot involves film and development costs even if you don't print. If you use rechargeable batteries, then each unprinted digital shot is essentially free since the cost in electricity and reduction in lifetime battery capacity is esentially zero. Time: If you like to share your photos through email or web based galleries, it is easier and faster if you start with digital in the first place.

I am asking this for my daughter, age 50, who had a double mastectomy this past Tuesday, 1/22. One for cancer (two lymph nodes removed and tested and okay). Other side for prevention. The side where the cancer was, is draining much less than the other side. Is this normal. Is this because the two sententel nodes are gone? Thanks for your responses. I survived cancer (stage 4) but lost a sister to asthma, why if we have the technology for heart, kidney, etc.

You don’t have to wait-you will receive the results of you mammography at the time of your visit. Yes. Keep in mind there may be an extenuating circumstance. If the doctor herself is ill or a medical emergency arises, you may choose or be assigned another doctor for that one appointment. Yes. As soon as a patient is told they have breast cancer, they are given a plan. The plan outlines all the possible options and procedures: lumpectomy, radiation therapy, sentinel node biopsy, etc.

It is estimated that mammograms can detect approximately 85-90% of all breast cancers. While the vast majority of abnormalities are detected by mammography, there are some that are simply not detectable. Sometimes an irregularity goes undetected because surrounding breast tissue is the same density as the irregular tissue. The goal of mammography is to try to identify women who have breast cancer but are unaware of it (asymptomatic women).

Breast tissue is asymmetrical. The tissue looks like strands of cotton on a mammogram. In order to see "through" this tissue and to aid in separating the tissue on the monitor, compression is performed. The pressure exerted by the mammography unit is monitored and the compression is only for a moment. Albany Med's South Campus Breast Center utilizes a "Soft Pad." A cushion to make the exam more comfortable. It's a single use pad and every mammogram is performed with the use of this pad.