Tag Archives: Ultrasound

An ultrasound scan uses sound or other vibrations that are above the range of human hearing to produce an image

CDI Miami | Tuesday August 3, 2021

Ultrasounds Can Prevent Heart Attacks and Stroke before Symptoms Appear

A study published in the World Heart Federation’s journal, Global Heart has revealed the potential of portable ultrasound technology to detect plaque in peripheral arteries. This early detection allows doctors to employ preventative treatments that can stop heart attacks and stroke before symptoms appear. Continue reading

CDI Miami | Thursday March 1, 2018

The Importance of Mammograms

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. One of the most effective ways to find and/or prevent breast cancer is through regular mammography screenings.

A mammogram is a specific type of breast exam that uses a non-invasive X-ray process that doctors use to identify and treat any abnormal areas that may possibly indicate the presence of cancer. Annual mammograms can detect cancer up to two years before a patient or physician will notice any abnormalities. Mammograms can also prevent the need for extensive treatment for advanced cancers and improve chances of breast conservation.

The Miami Center for Diagnostic Imaging now uses an even quicker and more accurate version of digital mammography. 3D mammography, also called breast tomosynthesis, is a revolutionary technology that gives radiologists the ability to identify and characterize individual breast structures without the confusion of overlapping tissue. During a tomosynthesis scan, multiple, low-dose images of the breast are acquired at different angles. These images are then used to produce a series of one-millimeter thick slices that can be viewed as a three dimensional reconstruction of the breast.

Mammograms play an important role in women’s health. They have been shown to lower the risk of dying by 35% in women over the age of 50. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women; it is estimated that over 220,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed; and an estimated 2,150 men will also be diagnosed. More than 80% of breast cancers are found in women with no family history.

In addition to mammograms, women, starting at the age of 20, should make sure to schedule regular clinical exams with a health care provider; and should also perform regular self-examinations. Women at average risk for developing breast cancer should discuss with their health care provider the potential benefits of a screening breast MRI in addition to their yearly mammogram.

The digital mammography experts at the Center for Diagnostic Imaging and Comprehensive Breast Care Centers provide women with the most advanced care available to help keep them healthy.

 

About Center for Diagnostic Imaging:

The Center for Diagnostic Imaging Miami staff is dedicated to providing the highest level of efficient and excellent care for each patient who walks through their door. The center, known for their reputation as one of the best full body scan Miami facilities in the state, is owned and managed by physicians, radiologists, technicians, and other highly trained and qualified staff. The staff-ran facility’s mission is to serve the healthcare needs of the Miami community with the use of the most highly advanced technology medical equipment within the diagnostic imaging industry.
With this type of technology available at their fingertips, staff members have the ability to better identify any issues or concerns impacting the health and well-being of each individual patient.

The Center for Diagnostic Imaging currently offers the following scanning services:

  • Computer tomography Scan (CAT Scan)
  • Computed Tomography Angiography Scan (CTA Scan)
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography scan (MRA)
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Position Emission Tomography Scan (PET Scan)
  • X-Rays

In addition to their diagnostic services, the center is also known as one of the most preferred breast ultrasound Miami facilities. When it comes to breast exams women the can receive 3D Mammography scans, MRI guided biopsies, and stereotactic biopsies.

CDI Miami | Thursday February 16, 2017

Breast Cancer: The Importance of Early Detection and Screening

Women in the United States have a 1 in 8 chance of getting breast cancer.  The good news is that

when breast cancer is detected early, it can be cured.  Studies show that the five-year survival rate for localized breast cancer is 97 percent, while the 12-year survival rate is 95 percent for cancers that are detected while still smaller than 1 centimeter in size.  The size of the cancer and how much it has spread are two of the most important factors contributing to the success of treatment.

 

The key to successful treatment is early detection and screening.  Screening exams are designed to find breast cancer while it is still small and localized – before it causes symptoms like an obvious lump.  Breast cancers detected after symptoms arise are usually bigger and are more likely to have spread to areas beyond the breast.  Early detection saves thousands of lives each year, so it’s important for women of all ages to know what tests are available and when to get them.

Breast Cancer Action Early Detection Saves Lives Logo

logo credit: Breast Cancer Action

Women Ages 50+

Women in their 50s are at the greatest risk of contracting breast cancer. What are some ways to prevent it? Watch your weight! Women who gain weight (20 pounds or more ) after menopause are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than women who maintain a healthy weight.

Maintain at least a yearly mammogram to monitor any possible breast cancer developments.
Women Ages 40 – 49

 

Women 40 and older should have a mammogram each year, as long as they are healthy and free from serious health problems like congestive heart failure, end-stage renal disease, dementia, etc.

 

Various types of mammograms are available today, including 2D film or digital mammograms and 3D mammograms.  Regardless of type, a mammogram is safe and is considered to be the best available test for detecting and diagnosing breast cancer.

 

Film, digital and 3D mammograms all use compression and a series of X-rays to generate pictures of internal breast tissue.  During the exam, the technician compresses the breast with a paddle and takes images from various angles to obtain the necessary pictures.

 

If a patient receives abnormal mammogram results, doctors often order a breast ultrasound or an MRI breast scan as a follow-up test.  These tests can zero in on a specific area identified by the mammogram, and they can help shed more light on whether the area in question might be a cyst or solid mass.  A breast ultrasound or MRI breast scan can also sometimes distinguish between benign and cancerous tumors and can help doctors determine whether steps such as a stereotactic breast biopsy are necessary.

 

Women in 20s and 30s

 

Younger women – those in their 20s and 30s – should have clinical breast exams every three years.  A CBE is usually done in conjunction with a mammogram and is an opportunity for women to discuss any changes in breast tissue, options for medical imaging scans, and any hereditary factors that could increase breast cancer risk.

 

A breast self-exam is another option for women starting in their 20s, and is something that can be done on a monthly basis throughout life.  While self-exams play a smaller part in detecting breast cancer compared to other methods, they nonetheless help women become familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel.  This makes it more likely that a woman will notice if a change occurs – perhaps a lump, swelling, pain, discharge, etc.  Many times these symptoms are not cancerous, but they should always be reported to a doctor so the appropriate follow up tests can be done.

 

For a woman in her 20s, the odds of contracting breast cancer are quite low; however, the risk does increase with age.  CBEs and self-exams enable women to know what is normal for them so they can immediately report any changes to their doctors.

 

High-Risk Women

 

Today, doctors use various risk assessment tools – such as the Gail model, the Claus model, and the Tyrer-Cuzick model – to help determine a woman’s risk for breast cancer.  These tools give approximations of risk based on various factors and data.  Genetic testing is also available and can identify whether a woman carries the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation.

 

For women who are identified as high-risk patients, experts recommend a yearly mammogram and MRI breast scan.  An MRI breast scan is used in addition to a mammogram, rather than in place of it.  While an MRI is more sensitive than a mammogram, it does miss some cancers that a mammogram can otherwise detect.

 

In most of these high-risk cases, the combination of mammograms and MRI breast scans should start at age 30 and continue as long as a woman is healthy enough to receive the tests.  However, the age to start the exams should take personal situations and needs into account and can be modified accordingly by the doctor and patient.

 

Women having any of the medical imaging scans mentioned above should do so at a certified diagnostic imaging center to ensure they receive the most accurate tests possible.  The Center for Diagnostic Imaging is proud to offer Comprehensive Breast Care Centers in the Miami area that offer all women access to life-saving mammograms, breast ultrasounds and MRI breast scans.

CDI Miami | Tuesday August 2, 2016

Preventative Steps, Risk Factors, and Screenings for Breast Cancer

A cancer is named based on where it first develops. Breast cancer begins in the breast tissue, eventually forming a mass of cancerous cells called a tumor. Cells from that tumor can break away and spread (called metastasis) to other organs of the body – such as the lymph nodes, bones, lungs, and even liver—where they can multiply in number.

 

Even though the causes of breast cancer are not known, early detection and newer treatments are leading researchers toward a cure. Researchers have identified certain risk factors that have been associated with breast cancer. Knowing these and determining an individual’s risk are the first steps toward breast cancer protection.

 

It is almost impossible to predict whether or not a woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer – some women can have all the risk factors and never develop the disease while other women develop the disease and do not have many of the known risk factors. As with all diseases, there are certain factors that place some women at higher chance of developing breast cancer than others. Some risk factors can be controlled while others cannot.

 

Breast Cancer Action Early Detection Saves Lives Logo

logo credit: Breast Cancer Action

Certain steps can be taken to reduce the risk of breast or other cancers. Cancer experts recommend eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables and is low in saturated fats. For those who consume alcohol on a daily basis, they should speak with their doctor about personal risks for breast cancer and heart health. Avoid weight gain, particularly after menopause and exercise to maintain a healthy weight.

 

While getting an annual mammogram is crucial, 10 to 15 percent of breast cancers are not detected by the test and additional breast cancers may also become detectable between routine mammograms. That is why it is important for every woman to perform her own breast self-exam every month in addition to getting a yearly mammogram or clinical breast exam. The best time for a breast self-exam is roughly seven days after the beginning of a monthly menstrual cycle, because this is when the hormone levels from the ovaries are at their lowest and breasts are least likely to be tender or swollen. Women who have gone through menopause should examine their breasts the same day each month, such as on the first day of the month.

 

Screening refers to tests and exams used to find a disease in people who do not have any symptoms. Breast cancers found during screening exams are more likely to be smaller and still confined to the breast. The size of a breast cancer and how far it has spread are some of the most important factors in predicting the prognosis of a woman with this disease.

 

The Center for Diagnostic Imaging and the Comprehensive Breast Care Centers specialize in the early detection of breast cancer. The fully trained staff and board certified radiologists utilize the best medical imaging solutions available today, such as breast ultrasound, breast MRI, and 3D mammography. They insure that each exam is tailored to each patient’s individual needs.

CDI Miami | Tuesday May 10, 2016

Mobile Diagnostic Imaging: The Next Big Thing?

ct scanner in a specialized stroke ambulance

A specialized stroke ambulance, called VIMED STEMO, carries a portable CT scanner and a point-of-care laboratory for nearly-instant diagnosis and initiation of treatment in stroke patients.
Source: http://www.medgadget.com/

Portable X-ray and CT scan devices are on the rise for patients with mobility issues. Portable X-ray and CT scan devices wirelessly communicate and share data, via cellular, WLAN, WMAN, WPAN, and WWAN (read: WIFI) communication networks. Furthermore, these devices act as intermediaries between patients and healthcare staff; monitoring patients and providing therapy, imaging, and diagnostics. The device is paired with a machine that allows it to transfer and store digital images almost instantly. Continue reading

CDI Miami | Tuesday November 17, 2015

CDI’s Latest Technology to Help Maintain and Improve Health

The Center for Diagnostic Imaging of Miami, announces helping patients maintain their healthy lifestyles and improving chances of catching and treating severe illnesses and diseases, with their latest full body scanning technology.

The medical technology used to operate full body scans are noninvasive, painless and require low dosages of radiation.

Continue reading

CDI Miami | Wednesday October 14, 2015

Saving Time and Money by Combining Diagnostic Medical Imaging Tests

Many patients do not ask questions about the types of diagnostic medical imaging tests their doctors order.  However, patients should not be afraid to start a dialog with their doctors and talk about whether it might make sense to have a second, different type of scan done at the same time.  In many cases, doing so can save the patient time and money.  Continue reading

CDI Miami | Friday September 18, 2015

Ultrasounds: Non-Nuclear, Preventive Care

It is well known that ultrasound technology is often used to monitor the growth of babies still in the womb; to determine due dates, prenatal health, and the sex of the child. However, ultrasound technology, which uses a transducer to transmit high-frequency sound waves into the body and translates them into images, can be also used to diagnose and prevent a wide range of conditions. Continue reading

CDI Miami | Wednesday February 11, 2015

Ultrasounds Prevent Heart Attacks and Stroke before Symptoms Appear

A study published in the World Heart Federation’s journal, Global Heart has revealed the potential of portable ultrasound technology to detect plaque in peripheral arteries. This early detection allows doctors to employ preventative treatments that can stop heart attacks and stroke before symptoms appear. Continue reading

CDI Miami | Thursday December 4, 2014

Diagnostic Imaging Services for Arthritis

Arthritis includes more than 100 different rheumatic diseases and conditions, and it is one of the most common causes of disability in the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 50 million U.S. adults report having doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Continue reading