New mammographic equipment, together with our very experienced X-ray technicians, allows for painless examinations at very low radiation levels.

Quality control is one of our essential safeguards and we are certified by the Austrian Society of Radiology. In addition, our medical office is a member of the internationally certified Breast Health Center Goldenes Kreuz Privatklinik.

Quality control in mammography requires the following:

• A full-field digital mammography system, in our case Hologic's Selenia Dimensions (http://www.emsor.es/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Using-the-hologic-Selenia-Dimensions-System.pdf). This system provides three-dimensional mammograms. The breast tomosynthesis enhances the detection and classification of breast lesions and subtle calcifications, while avoiding confusion of superimposing parenchyma.
• Double reading of all relevant findings by two qualified radiologists.
• Palpation and interview.
• Breast ultrasound in every patient.
• BI-RADS is an acronym for Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System, a quality assurance tool originally designed for use with mammography. The system is a collaborative effort involving many health groups, but is published and trademarked by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The goal of BI-RADS is a standardized reporting system for mammograms, breast ultrasound and breast MRI. This classification helps the treating physician to better assess the findings and clearly identify those cases which require further evaluation.
• Breast Density: the density of the breast is an important part of evaluating a mammogram. It has long been recognized that the denser the tissue, the more difficult it is to obtain optimal mammograms and to visualize abnormalities within the breast. Therefore, ACR (American College of Radiology) has recommended, in its mammography lexicon, that density be estimated by the radiologist and included in the mammography report to provide the clinician with an understanding of limitations in evaluating a particular mammography. The denser the parenchyma, the more ultrasound is required for follow-ups at shorter inspection intervals.

From a scientific paper by Dr. Graf et al. we know that palpation, ultrasound and interview of the patient increase the detection rate of breast cancer by 15%.

Lit.: Graf O., Obermayer M., Scheurecker A., Hopf G., Kramer J., Frühwald F.: Diagnoseform und Tumorstadien von Mammakarzinomen unter Berücksichtigung des opportunistischen Screenings. Fortschr.Röntgenstr. 2006: 221-226.