Toms River X-Ray, CT & MRI Center

regular mammograms? A: 3D mammogram--also called breast tomosynthesis--is one of the most Should I see a doctor? advanced forms of breast cancer detection. It uses a very low level of radiation to Usually, back pain without any take multiple pictures of the breast. The x-ray tube moves over the breast in an concerning features or history will arc, capturing multiple images of each breast from different angles. A computer reconstructs these pictures to create a 3-dimensional picture of the breast. A regular mammogram takes a single picture of the breast. get better on its own over several weeks with over the counter pain medication and physical therapy. Q: What is the advantage of 3D mammogram? If your back pain was due to a fall A: One of the challenges of interpreting mammograms is normal dense breast tissue hiding breast cancer. Additionally, overlapping areas of normal dense breast tissue can look suspicious. This is why detecting breast cancer in women with dense or accident, or if you are having additional symptoms such as loss breasts is more difficult. The 3-dimensional images of breast tomosynthesis help of bladder or bowel control or pain decrease the tissue overlap that can obscure cancers. It also helps distinguish normal shooting to your legs, then you will overlapping breast tissue from breast cancer. Studies have shown that 3D mammograms significantly improve the want to see your doctor. detection of breast cancer, especially in women with denser breast tissue. It also Will my doctor order imaging tests to find out what’s picks up breast cancer at an earlier stage, which may be missed by traditional wrong with my back? mammography. 3D mammograms find 20-65% more invasive breast cancers compared to traditional 2D mammograms, with an average increase of 41%. If your back pain is isolated and you don’t have any red flag symptoms or history, your doctor may just choose to observe your back pain, and treat your pain. Most cases of back pain gradually get better over time. However, if you have a history of conditions such as cancer, chronic steroid medication use, osteoporosis, or came in with severe symptoms, or after a severe accident, your doctor may choose to get diagnostic imaging.

X-rays are a quick test that can be used to diagnose compression fractures of the vertebra, degenerative arthritis, and alignment issues such as scoliosis, especially with younger patients. MRI imaging is a higher level exam that can detect herniated discs, spinal cord conditions, arthritis, and fractures with extremely high accuracy. MRI will often be approved by the insurance company if the back pain does not get better after several weeks of treatment, or in cases where it is critical to get a comprehensive evaluation as soon as possible.

A: Mammograms expose patients to very low levels of radiation. The level of radiation exposure from a 3D mammogram is the same as that from a traditional mammogram. So a patient receives all the benefits without any increased risk.

With traditional mammograms, when a radiologist finds an area that is suspicious, patients need to be called back for additional views. The multiple images created by 3D mammograms have such increased accuracy that there is decreased need for this. On average 3D mammograms reduce callbacks by up to 40% compared to traditional mammograms. This means less radiation exposure, increased convenience for our patients, and more peace of mind.

A: The process of having a 3D mammogram is the same as a conventional 2D exam. The technologist will position you, compress your breast, and take images from different angles. There’s no additional compression required, and it only takes a few extra seconds.

A: Medicare, and many private insurers, cover 3D mammograms. In the past, not all private insurance companies covered 3D mammograms. However, in August 2018, New Jersey enacted a mandate requiring nearly all the major health insurers to cover 3D mammograms.

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