Mammography

Faculty: John Huff, M.D. (section chief), and Kevin McManus, M.D.

The Vanderbilt Breast Center was established in 1991 in response to the need to provide convenient and efficient diagnosis and treatment for a growing patient population. A multidisciplinary group of physicians work in conjunction so that patients receive care only from physicians specializing in breast disease. This multidisciplinary team is made up of the following medical specialties: Diagnostic Imaging and Intervention, Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Pathology, Medical Oncology, and Radiation Therapy. There are also support services from Plastic Surgery, Psychiatry, and genetic counseling for cancer patients.

Approximately 10,000 screening and diagnostic mammograms are performed per year utilizing two dedicated mammography units. Over 5,000 mammograms from outlying offices are also interpreted by the Breast Imaging Section each year. There is also an abundance of patients who bring their mammograms from outside institutions to the Vanderbilt Breast Center for "second opinion" consultations. In addition to mammography, approximately 1,000 breast ultrasonographic evaluations are performed annually. Other imaging modalities (including MR imaging, CT, positron emission tomography, and nuclear medicine) are easily accessible in the Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences.

As a comprehensive breast center, many diagnostic services are provided in addition to mammography, ultrasound, and breast physical examination. Cyst aspirations and fine-needle aspirations are performed for palpable abnormalities. A cytological laboratory is present on site so that patients receive results almost immediately. For non-palpable mammographic or ultrasonographic abnormalities, ultrasound-guided biopsy techniques and stereotactic core biopsy or mammotomy are frequently used. The stereotactic biopsy is performed utilizing state-of-the-art instrumentation. This procedure takes advantage of the team approach: a surgeon and radiologist working together in order to provide the best possible patient care. Breast needle/wire localizations are done for accurate excision of non-palpable mammographic abnormalities.

The Breast Imaging Section offers numerous research endeavors and opportunities. Medical students and radiology residents are scheduled daily at the Breast Center in order to further their educational pursuits.

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