Breast Imaging Services
The Quality You Trust
At Fairfax Radiological Consultants, PC (FRC) our mission is our commitment to you. That’s why all of our breast imaging centers are accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR), certified by the FDA and offer a fully comprehensive service from routine screening to state-of-the-art follow-up exams. Our Breast Diagnostic Center in Fairfax is the first imaging center in Northern Virginia recognized by the ACR as aBreast Imaging Center of Excellence, having successfully achieved accreditation in Mammography, Breast Ultrasound, Stereotactic Breast Biopsy, and Ultrasound guided biopsy.
As technology advances, understanding medical exams and procedures becomes more complex. The quality of services provided is an important consideration. Each of our centers is staffed with highly trained technologists and board certified radiologists who are dedicated to providing quality, efficiency and privacy. Our radiologists are experts in their field, providing mammographic studies that are interpreted according to the most recent professional guidelines and collaborating with other medical specialists to form a total care treatment team. We offer a full spectrum of state-of-the-art technology to aid in the diagnosis and evaluation of breast cancer, including, digital mammography and breast MRI. We perform more than 100,000 procedures, annually, and our breast MRI program is nationally recognized, placing us among the most experienced providers in the United States.
Digital mammography with Computer Aided Detection (CAD) is our primary imaging technique. A recent study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that digital mammography detected cancer in up to 28% more cases of women in certain subgroups. Computer Aided Detection is used as an interpretive aid during the image review process. The CAD software analyzes the image and identifies areas of interest that the radiologist will evaluate before issuing a final report. Utilizing the latest in technology, FRC offers the highest quality imaging process, providing you and your physician a convenient and complete breast imaging experience.
The Care You Want
An abnormal mammogram is a concern to every patient and her family. We understand the importance of an efficient and immediate follow-up to a suspicious mammogram. As part of our newly implemented patient care program, our goal is to accommodate each patient’s imaging needs within days. Our scheduling department follows specific protocols, ensuring that women needing additional exams or procedures are accommodated promptly, avoiding the prolonged anxious "waiting" period. All women who are candidates for a biopsy will be assigned a Breast Imaging Facilitator. She will work with your physician to efficiently coordinate and schedule all of the necessary follow-up exams and procedures. Your Facilitator becomes an essential resource, guiding you through the process each step of the way, explaining procedures, ensuring prompt scheduling, and confirming that the appropriate reports and images are available for other specialists, if necessary.
Our professionally staffed and custom-designed facilities guarantee a sense of confidence and ease during your breast imaging experience. For your convenience, we offer same day appointments for screening mammography and additional studies for diagnostic mammography, such as ultrasound imaging, can be completed during your initial visit. For your comfort and privacy, our centers are equipped with special dressing and waiting areas that are designated for women only.
Every day is “Breast Cancer Awareness Day” at Fairfax Radiological Consultants. We strive to make mammography procedures pleasant and affordable-so women won't put off screening that can save their lives. We support our communities, sponsoring The Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure and providing education at local health fairs. For more information on specific diagnostic breast exams, click on the links below.
What is Screening Mammography?
Screening mammography is an X-ray picture of the inner structures of the breast taken to detect breast cancer at an early stage. Current mammographic techniques utilize very low X-ray exposure. During a screening mammogram, two views are obtained of each breast (1) a view from the top (craniocaudal view) and (2) a view from the side (oblique view). Indeterminate results will occasionally require a patient to return for additional views, or special mammographic techniques such as magnification. Always aware of the anxiety these additional images can cause for the patient, our breast imaging staff assist the patient in scheduling a convenient appointment as quickly as possible.
What is Diagnostic Mammography?
Diagnostic mammography is performed on women or men who have a current breast symptom, or a personal history of breast cancer. During a diagnostic mammogram, similar views to a screening mammogram are taken with specialized views tailored to the patient’s symptoms. Suspicious results will occasionally require additional views including special mammographic techniques such as magnification or breast ultrasound. During diagnostic mammograms, these additional images can be obtained at the time of the initial appointment and do not require a return trip.
Patients with augmented breasts (implants)
Patients who have had breast augmentation (implants) can also have a mammogram. The exam requires some additional views, which compress the breast tissue without compressing the implant. Utilizing this technique, high-quality mammograms can be obtained.
What is Breast Ultrasound?
Breast Ultrasound is an essential tool in identifying the composition of suspicious lumps in the breast. Breast lumps found during physical examination are usually evaluated with mammography. Often breast ultrasound is performed as a supplement to a mammography procedure. Breast ultrasound is the preferred imaging technique to identify fluid filled structures (cysts) that can be felt or diagnosed as a mass from a mammography procedure. In addition, breast ultrasound is a preferred imaging procedure for specific types of women, especially women under 30, breast-feeding or pregnant women, when conventional mammography is not a diagnostic option due to the density of the breast tissue.
Breast Biopsy procedures are performed several ways. Depending on the imaging tool that best visualizes the abnormality, a breast biopsy can be performed using ultrasound, x-ray or MRI technology.
What is Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy?
When a breast abnormality is present and visualized with ultrasound, the radiologist can perform an ultrasound-guided breast biopsy with a specialized biopsy device. This device advances a needle into the breast abnormality and obtains a small core sample of tissue. Unlike traditional surgical biopsies, the procedure is generally painless and leaves no scar. These core tissue specimens are then delivered to a laboratory where a pathologist microscopically examines them. At that time it is determined whether the breast abnormality is cancerous or a benign breast disorder.
What is Stereotactic Breast Biopsy?
When a breast abnormality is present and better visualized by mammography, the radiologist can perform a Stereotactic-guided breast biopsy using x-ray imaging. The process involves advancing a core biopsy needle into the abnormal area and removing small samples of tissue. The procedure is similar to ultrasound-guided breast biopsy, utilizing a similar vacuum assisted biopsy device. These core tissue specimens are then delivered to a laboratory where a pathologist microscopically examines them. At that time it is determined whether the breast abnormality is cancerous or a benign breast disorder.
What is Breast MRI?
Breast MRI is a highly sensitive examination for the detection of breast cancer. It can detect cancers that cannot be seen by mammography or ultrasound. Breast MRI utilizes an intravenous contrast. Because tumor cell structure differs from normal cell structure, breast cancer demonstrates faster and more intense contrast enhancement compared with normal breast tissue. It is not limited by breast density or overlapping structures. Breast MRI requires state-of-the-art MRI scanners, dedicated breast coils, specialized radiologists and the capability of performing Breast MRI guided biopsies.
What is a Breast MRI Biopsy?
When MRI best visualizes a breast abnormality, the radiologist can perform an MRI guided biopsy. Breast MRI utilizes an intravenous contrast. Using MRI to guide a special vacuum assisted core needle into the abnormality, the radiologist can obtain tissue samples. These tissue samples are delivered to a laboratory where a pathologist microscopically examines them. At that time it is determined whether the breast abnormality is cancerous or a benign breast disorder.
What is Cyst Aspiration?
Although benign, some simple cysts can be painful or large enough to be bothersome. Some cysts contain debris, and these are referred to as “complex” cysts. Your doctor or a radiologist may recommend ultrasound-guided cyst aspiration to relieve cyst pressure or to further evaluate a complex cyst.
What is Bone Density/DEXA?
Although not a breast imaging study, a Bone Density study is often done in conjunction with mammography as part of a health screening program. Osteoporosis, or the weakening of bone structure as we age has been an increasing area of concern for patients, especially women. A bone density study can provide an evaluation of the bone structure to identify early bone loss, known as osteopenia or identify the patient has osteoporosis and is at higher risk for bone fracture. Many insurance companies provide periodic bone density scans as part of their routine health evaluation benefits.
For more information on this topic, please visit www.Radiologyinfo.org.
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National Cancer Institute's Breast Cancer Risk Assesment Tool
IBIS Genetic Breast Cancer Predisposition Assesment Tool
