Dear Patients and Parents:
This bulletin is provided to ease your mind about the safety and appropriate use of CT scan procedures in the RIA facilities. With all the media attention recently focused on incidents of overexposure to patients having CT brain perfusion scans at hospital institutions in California and Alabama, and the new study released this week that warns of potentially harmful effects of the increasing number of CT scans performed in the U.S., we thought you would want to know more about the scanners and radiation safety policies in use at RIA facilities.
As recommended by the FDA after announcement of the over-exposure incidents, RIA has reviewed its policies and verified that its CT scanners are functioning per specification of the manufacturer and in accordance with professional best practices. In short, our technologists and radiologists are trained and credentialed in the proper use of this equipment, and the equipment was purchased with technological features that specifically control dose and keep exposure levels within recommended values to provide diagnostic image quality. RIA’s scanners employ auto dose control (Intellibeam Technology and Smart MA) that measures patient body composition and minimizes the exposure for optimal imaging of the specific body part and exam. Scanning protocols specifically designed for pediatric patients are also utilized to prevent undue exposure to the patients that are most susceptible to effects of radiation. The Image Gently program of the Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging has great information for parents on the “Step Lightly” efforts to protect children -
In our facilities, CT equipment is state-of-the-art and is maintained, operated and regulated to ensure safety. We survey equipment performance routinely to ensure proper operating conditions, and radiation physicists perform independent evaluations of all operating parameters. Licensed and credentialed technologists operate these specialized scanners and our on-site radiologists and policies and procedures control appropriate utilization. In line with our commitment to ensure and demonstrate program quality, RIA participates with the voluntary CT quality assurance program of the American College of Radiology (ACR). Our ACR accreditation is another sign of the care we provide to safety and quality.
RIA is committed to the goal of keeping radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable. Certainly you should talk with your doctor about the necessity for radiological testing to ensure that you understand the expected benefits. Together, we can work to avoid unnecessary testing. When testing is needed, be assured that RIA does attempt to keep exposure to a minimum.
Joseph P. Finizio, M.D.
Medical Director
On November 17, 2009, a U.S. government task force publicized an update to their 2002 recommendations on the benefits of various breast cancer screening methods. Until yesterday, the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force were very similar to the recommendations of all the major breast health advocacy organizations including the , the , , and the National Cancer Institute.
The new recommendation of this task force is a major departure from prior, reasoned guidance, and what we all know to make sense. Despite this latest report from the task force, the guidance of all respected advocacy groups has not changed. RIA urges you to continue to make early detection of breast cancer through timely screening and breast examination a routine commitment to your health. Medical experts believe the benefits of mammographic screening for women age 40 and up outweigh its limitations, and even though mammography is not a perfect test, it remains our best approach to save lives and reduce the devastating effects of breast cancer. We believe that the inconvenience and anxiety of additional testing that inconclusive screening results can create for some women should not outweigh the lives of those saved by routine and early screening mammography.
Even the task force agrees that screening mammography reduces the number of deaths associated with breast cancer among women aged 50 and older, as well as among women aged 40 to 49. The task force is only saying that fewer lives are saved in the 40-49 age group, and public policy makers may consider this when establishing insurance coverage programs. RIA urges third party payers to continue to fund annual mammography starting at age 40, and we urge women to continue to follow the breast screening guidelines of the American Cancer Society:
- Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
- Clinical breast exam (CBE) should be part of a periodic health exam, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over.
- Women should know how their breasts normally feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care providers. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.
- Women at high risk (greater than 20% lifetime risk) should get an MRI and a mammogram every year. Women at moderately increased risk (15% to 20% lifetime risk) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram. Yearly MRI screening is not recommended for women whose lifetime risk of breast cancer is less than 15%.
Early Detection is Half the Cure
Radiology Imaging Associates is pleased to announce that final preparations are being made to introduce a dedicated women’s imaging facility in May 2009 in Waldorf, Maryland. The new RIA Women’s Imaging Center at Pembrooke will be the first of its kind in southern Maryland, offering a more comfortable, private and relaxed experience for women having mammography, DEXA and sonographic imaging. This dedicated women’s imaging center will be located within the Pembrooke Square Medical Center campus and is an expansion of RIA’s current imaging suite that offers MRI, PET/CT, CT, Nuclear Medicine, and X-ray.
The additional facility will offer a more soothing and tranquil environment for women waiting for sometimes stressful exams. Comfortable seating, coffee/tea service, and a more tranquil décor will all lend to a more relaxing environment for women. “As we design this space, not only are we considering our state of the art technology, including all digital mammography, we are also paying special attention to the aesthetics and layout,” stated RIA’s Medical Director, Dr. Joseph P. Finizio. “We are looking at a variety of elements that create a more tranquil and private environment and a pleasant patient experience. And we are responding to the requests of female patients who have a specific expectation when selecting healthcare providers.”
RIA’s breast imaging capabilities have also been enhanced this year to include full field digital mammography at all of its southern Maryland locations. Digital mammography provides a more detailed image than previous analog mammograms, showing greater clarity of image. Digital mammography can also be more comfortable as if offers more evenly distributed compression.
Dedicated Breast MRI is also available and growing in demand as an important cancer detection tool, particularly for those who have multiple risk factors. High-field strength MRI ensures the best image quality, and the recent acquisition of CAD technology allows RIA’s ACR Board certified radiologists an extensive set of additional image analysis and interventional planning tools to support early and more accurate diagnosis and treatment. The CAD provides an automatic “second reading” of each mammogram. For areas of concern that are only detected with MRI, RIA has the capability to provide MRI guided biopsy, in addition to sonographic and/or stereotactic guided breast biopsy
Radiology Imaging Associates is pleased to announce that Annamalai Muthiah, Jr., M.D. will be joining the RIA team of American Board of Radiology certified radiologists in January 2009.
Dr. Muthiah received his medical degree from New York Medical College, where he graduated at the top of his class, and completed his residency at the New York Medical College and at Winthrop University Hospital. He has extensive experience in general radiology and has earned a fellowship in musculoskeletal imaging and thoracoabdominal imaging.
Annam’s post-graduate training includes:
- Musculoskeletal Imaging Fellowship University of Maryland Medical System
- Thoracoabdominal Imaging Fellowship University of Virginia Health Sciences Center
- Diagnostic Radiology Residency Winthrop-University Hospital
- Diagnostic Radiology Residency New York Medical College
- Internal Medicine Internship Westchester County Medical Center
- Surgery Internship Rhode Island Hospital
Dr. Muthiah has received numerous awards including:
- Sprague Carleton, MD Award in Urology
- New York Medical College Trustees Scholarship
- Albany Medical College Trustees Scholarship
Dr. Muthiah is a member of the American Roentgen Ray Society, and a Diplomat with both the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Radiology. He is licensed in Maryland and Virginia.
Radiology Imaging Associates offers full service outpatient diagnostic imaging services in northern Virginia for 20 years and in southern Maryland for over 30 years. RIA’s 14 board certified radiologists, all based in the Washington Metro area have considerable expertise in their chosen field, and many have additional subspecialty training.
RIA First with Critical Breast Cancer Diagnostic Tool in Calvert, Charles Counties
December 1, 2008, Clinton, Maryland – Radiology Imaging Associates, with diagnostic imaging centers in southern Maryland and northern Virginia is pleased to announce another new initiative in the early detection of breast cancer. Digital Mammography is now available to women across southern Maryland at all RIA locations.
Digital mammography is different from traditional film-based mammography in several ways. With digital, the mammographic image is captured as an electronic image that can be manipulated to enhance it with different contrast levels for a clearer view. For some patients, it provides a better image, particularly for younger patients and those who have dense breast tissue. Also with a digital mammogram, the compression of the breast is not so severe and is more evenly distributed, resulting in a more comfortable patient experience. And the images are immediately available for review, versus waiting for film to be developed which may provide an overall shorter appointment time for the patient.
Both traditional film-screen (analog) mammography and digital mammography play critical roles in diagnosing breast cancer, especially when looking for changes that a patient might not yet be able to feel themselves. Digital is recommended for patients under the age of 50, who are pre-menopausal or peri-menopausal and have dense breast tissue.
RIA’s Medical Director, Dr. Joseph Finizio stated, “We are very proud to be the first in both Calvert and Charles Counties to offer this very significant screening and diagnostic tool for women. RIA continues to invest in the health and well being of our patient community in southern Maryland with the introduction of proven, advanced technology. Breast cancer is an issue that touches so many of our friends and families and digital mammography is a valuable addition to our facilities and an important component of early detection.”
Sherry Hannum, a Mammography Technologist for RIA who has been working with digital mammography in Virginia for two years stated, “Older patients and those who have undergone imaging with analog mammography have told me that the digital mammogram offers a more comfortable experience. They say that the compression is not quite as severe and the compression time is shorter than previous mammograms. Plus they no longer have to wait for the images to be developed and reviewed. They can complete their exam and be out the door.”
RIA has five full-service diagnostic imaging centers in Maryland and Virginia, and offers patients the latest in diagnostic imaging technology. Led by CEO and Medical Director Joseph P. Finizio, M.D. and providing radiology services to patients in the area for over 30 years, RIA has built a reputation as a technology leader and a reliable resource for state of the art diagnostic imaging.
RIA’s comprehensive breast care services including digital mammography now include:
- Digital and analog screening and diagnostic mammography
- Diagnostic breast ultrasound for primary and second-look evaluations
- Breast MRI
- NEW TO RIA -MRI guided biopsy
- Stereotactic, and/or ultrasound guided core biopsies
- Fine needle aspiration and pre-op localization
- Galactography
Breast MRI is also provided at RIA Centers using dedicated breast coils, the latest generation high-field strength MRI systems, and Computer Aided Detection (CAD) technology. High-field strength MRI and dedicated coils ensure best image quality, and the recent acquisition of CAD technology allows RIA’s ACR Board certified radiologists an extensive set of additional image analysis and interventional planning tools to support early and more accurate diagnosis and treatment. The CAD provides an automatic “second reading” of each mammogram.
About Radiology Imaging Associates
Radiology Imaging Associates has upheld a tradition of care in the provision of superior diagnostic imaging services in northern Virginia for 20 years and in southern Maryland for over 30 years. RIA’s 14 board certified radiologists, all based in the Washington Metro area have considerable expertise in their chosen field, and many have additional subspecialty training. RIA’s locations include RIA at Sterling, and RIA at Lansdowne in Virginia, and in Maryland, RIA at Heritage & The Breast Center in Clinton, RIA at Pembrooke in Waldorf, and RIA at Patuxent in Prince Frederick.
Patients and physicians in northern Virginia and beyond can now access one of the newest and highest-resolution MRI scanners available: the Achieva 3.0T MRI system from Philips Healthcare, a leader in 3.0T MRI development.
Because of the superb level of anatomic detail it provides, the Achieva 3.0T can assist radiologists and physicians in the earlier diagnosis of a variety of medical conditions, including brain disorders and/or cardiovascular disease. The option for faster scan times, or higher resolution scans that reduce the need for rescanning and the short, widely flared patient opening all enhance the patient-friendly design.
For doctors and patients who understand that the latest technology can improve outcomes, this 3.0T MR system represents what they have been looking for: the very latest technology that provides exceptional image quality in the most patient-friendly environment. It is of tremendous diagnostic benefit to the community,” said Dr. Joseph Finizio, Medical Director of Radiology Imaging Associates. “It also highlights our ongoing investment in the health and well being of our patient community in Loudoun County and beyond.”
The new 3.0T magnet is the first and only one of its kind in Loudoun County and offers several benefits to both doctors and patients, including:
- Improved resolution
- Option for faster exams (good for claustrophobic and large patients)
- Reduced need for contrast agents
- Reduced noise levels by as much as 86%
The 3.0T offers exceptional image quality with highly detailed images, allowing radiologists to identify potential problems, and providing physicians with more information for a more accurate diagnosis. This 3.0T MRI system offers twice the magnetic field strength of conventional 1.5T high field MRI systems. The increased signal to noise ratio resulting from this higher field strength delivers the higher resolution image quality and faster scanning capability. The system provides fast head-to-toe whole body imaging and is especially beneficial in subspecialty clinical areas such as breast imaging, neurology, orthopedics, oncology, and vascular applications.
The new 3.0T MRI is now operational at RIA’s full service diagnostic imaging facility at Lansdowne. This facility also features the only 1.0T high field strength Panorama Open MRI and compliments RIA’s full service imaging center in Sterling Virginia which has the 1.5T short bore MRI system, nuclear medicine, sonography, mammography, DEXA, X-ray, and CT imaging services.
Computer Aided Detection (CAD) technology is now available at RIA sites to assist our Board Certified Radiologists in the review and interpretation of Breast MRI procedures. This CAD system called DynaCAD provides an extensive set of image analysis and interventional procedure planning tools to enhance the diagnostic process.
Breast MRI has become a valuable imaging procedure used in the detection of breast cancer. With dedicated breast coils and DynaCAD technology, our radiologists have tools to detect lesions that may not be visible using mammography or ultrasound, and to offer interventional procedures such as MRI guided biopsy and wire localization to support early and more accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Because an accurate diagnosis is essential to effective treatment, it is often necessary to biopsy tissue for microscopic evaluation. RIA’s MRI Guided Breast Biopsy Program utilizes the precision of MRI with a dedicated breast coil and DynaCAD guidance tools to allow our radiologists to obtain the needed tissue. MRI guided needle biopsy is an outpatient procedure that is less invasive than surgical biopsy, requires only a local anesthetic, and can be completed in less than one hour.
Breast MRI is used to:
- Determine the extent and stage of breast cancer - surgical planning
- Detect occult cancer
- Characterize lesions judged as indeterminate on mammography or sonography
- Allow an additional assessment for patients at high risk of developing breast cancer
- Evaluate silicone implant integrity and detect cancer in women with breast augmentation
- Monitor cancer therapy, and for pre-op and post-op evaluation
Contact any of the RIA centers for more information or for scheduling.
To view our previous news, please click on the dates below:
- January 2007 – High-field Open MRI Introduced in Loudoun County
- October 2006 - RIA at Lansdowne takes delivery of the first Open MRI in Loudoun County!
- March 2006RIA at Heritage launches a new state-of-the-art PET/CT Imaging Program.
- December 2005 - RIA at Sterling Offers New Techniques in Cardiac Evaluation
- December 2005 - RIA at Pembrooke Offers New Techniques in Cardiac Evaluation.
- November 2005 - Advanced High-Field Short-Bore MRI Systems Installed at RIA's Heritage and Sterling Imaging Centers.
- October 2005- RIA at Pembrooke now offers PET/CT
- August 2005 - RIA Incorporates Bone Mineral Density and Vertebral Fracture Assessment Into Clinical Practice for Comprehensive Assessment of Fracture Risk
- April 2005 - Major MRI Upgrade at Patuxent
- April 2005 - Additional Ultrasound Scanner for Patuxent
- January 2005 - New-State-Of-The-Art Digital Fluoroscopy at Heritage
- January 2005 - Centralized Scheduling brings efficiencey, convenience
- August 2004 - State Certificate of Public Need (COPN) Awarded to Add CT scanner
- December 2003 - The Cutting-Edge in Ultrasound
- October 2003 - It's out with the old and in with the new at Pembrooke Imaging & MRI Center
- October 2003 - CAD for Mammography Introduced
- January 2003 - Debut of Radiology Imaging Associates PET Scan Center
To read these articles you will need to use Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, please click on the icon to download a free program.
|
