Huntington Hospital’s Women’s Health Center has gone completely digital with the acquisition of two new, state-of-the-art digital mammography units. In addition, the Center now provides breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for high-risk women whose physicians recommend these high resolution studies. Other enhancements to the Women’s Health Center include a new, third-generation stereotactic biopsy system, and the return of Marilyn Wong, MD, a fellowship-trained mammographer. In addition, Arlene Sussman, MD, and Helene Cole, MD, highly skilled and experienced mammographers, have joined Huntington Hospital.

Digital Mammography
Digital mammography has been shown to be a superior breast imaging system for younger women, pre-menopausal women, and those with dense breast tissue.

“Digital imaging provides increased visual penetration of dense breast tissue, which results in higher sensitivity when imaging calcifications and masses,” said Tamara Mohuchy, MD, Chief of Radiology at Huntington.

Unlike standard mammography films, digital images can be magnified, enhanced, and manipulated on the computer screen. “The ability to manipulate the images or to enlarge an area in question means that fewer images need to be taken,” explained Judy F. Koles, RN, OCN, Coordinator of the Women’s Health Center. “As all women know, fewer images means less breast compression and less discomfort.”

Ms. Koles pointed out that because fewer images are required, women are exposed to less radiation during both screening and diagnostic mammograms.

Breast MRI
Sophisticated Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) helps correlate mammography findings with follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. Once the radiologist isolates an area of breast tissue that needs further imaging, an MRI study can provide hundreds of “slices,” or planes of view.

Because the MRI is hospital-based, breast studies can be performed under sedation to alleviate anxiety for those who require this intervention.

New equipment permits breast biopsy using MRI imaging. In this procedure, a needle is used to remove a small core of tissue from an abnormality that has been identified on an MRI.

Stereotactic Biopsy
Huntington Hospital’s Women’s Health Center was the first in Suffolk County to offer stereotactic needle biopsy, which is a biopsy that is guided by mammography. The new stereotactic system is the third generation in the evolution of this technology.

“Because our mammography equipment is digital and fully automated, our current stereotactic biopsy system is extremely fast,” said Ms. Koles. Once the proper positioning is achieved, the tissue sample is obtained in under one minute.

Patient positioning is critical to permit visualization of the lesion and ensure that the proper tissue sample is obtained. Huntington’s new stereotactic table enables enhanced visualization of calcifications and permits access to previously difficult to reach lesions.

New Staff Appointments
Many women who come to the Women’s Health Center will recognize Marilyn Wong, MD, who has had a long affiliation with Huntington Hospital. Dr. Wong trained at both Harvard/Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center prior to joining Huntington.

Arlene Sussman, MD, may be less familiar to Huntington women but she is a well-known and highly regarded breast imaging specialist. Dr. Sussman is a graduate of Cornell University Medical College. She trained at St. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital and New York University Hospital and previously served as Chief of Mammography at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Helene Cole, MD, is another new mammographer. She trained at Long Island College Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center and has 15 years of experience in diagnostic imaging and mammography.

Community Support
The purchase of the two digital mammography units was made possible through community philanthropy. Support was provided by donors Niki and Joe Gregory, along with grants from Arrow Electronics and the Dreyfus Foundation. Proceeds from the 2006 “Last Bash” at Blue Honu were also used toward the purchase of digital mammography equipment.