UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's Imaging and Breast Screening Services

St. Luke's Mammotome is used to perform biopsies using ultrasound guidance, allowing for removal of a breast abnormality without the need for open surgery. Using mammotome, a physician can guide the system into a suspicious area of the breast to gently collect the abnormal tissue for a biopsy, meaning:

• a less invasive procedure with only a small incision
• less scarring
• faster recovery time so you can return to normal activities the same day
• Learn more about mammotome technology from mammotome.com

To get a better picture of your health, the radiology team at UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's provides inpatient imaging and diagnostic screenings right in the hospital. With one-on-one attention and advanced technology, we provide a full range of exams including:

• Diagnostic radiology (such as x-ray)
• CT scans
• MRI
• Ultrasounds

St. Luke's radiology department also provides nuclear medicine scans, which study the body's organs and tissues and how they work. These scans can help detect cancer, heart disease, arthritis and infection.

All images are stored to a system-wide Picture Archival Communications System (PACS) for fast and convenient physician access. To learn more about radiology technology and what to expect during imaging procedures, visit Radiology Info.

St. Luke's Imaging & Breast Screening Services located at Sunnybrook Medical Plaza offers preventive outpatient procedures and breast screenings, including 3D digital mammograms, to maintain your health at any age:

• Radiology exams including x-rays, CT scans, MRI and ultrasound
• 3D | Digital Mammograms
• Bone density scans
Breast MRI

St. Luke's specialized diagnostic evaluations not only pinpoint your condition with accuracy and speed, but serve as the first step in your road to prevention and wellness. For example, preventative digital mammograms are able to detect breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages - even before a lump can be felt.

All images from this center are also stored to PACS. In addition to state-of-the-art instruments and equipment, St. Luke's strives for patient comfort with warm settings, comfortable furnishings and a contemporary environment.

Although radiology exams and breast screenings can differ from procedure to procedure, most share the same basic guidelines. Here are a few tips for your next screening at St. Luke's:

• Due to the nature of the imaging process, no one is able to join patients in the room (with the exception of pregnancy ultrasounds where family members are allowed in the room.) For all other procedures, if you are bringing a spouse, friend or children, we ask that they wait in the waiting room. *All children must be accompanied by an adult.
• You should inform your physician of any medications you're currently taking and if you have any allergies, especially to contrast materials like barium or iodine.
• Women should inform their physician and x-ray technologist if there is a possibility they may be pregnant. Many tests are not performed during pregnancy as they may harm the fetus. If an x-ray is necessary, special precautions will be taken to protect the baby.
• For some imaging procedures, you may be asked not to eat or drink for several hours beforehand, especially if contrast material will be used in your exam.
• Following your exam, the hospital will receive written results within two to three business days.