Women’s Imaging is a subspecialty within Radiology that provides physician expertise on diseases unique to women. These include diseases of the breast, female genital tract and pregnancy.

Mammography interpretation is a large part of Women’s Imaging. We interpret both screening and diagnostic mammograms. The latter often include direct consultation with and examination of patients in a clinic setting. We perform breast ultrasound and breast MRI. Our physicians are specially trained and highly skilled at performing breast biopsies. Biopsies are the removal of small pieces of a breast lesion through a needle that will ultimately tell us if a lesion is benign (not cancer) or malignant (breast cancer). Biopsies can be performed stereotactically (mammographic guidance), or with ultrasound or MRI guidance. The Women’s Imager in charge of a case makes the decision on the best biopsy method. Biopsies are minimally invasive, low risk, and provide an accurate answer about a breast lesion with very few side effects.

Women’s Imaging also includes diseases related to the female genital tract. We are specially trained to assess masses and cysts in the ovaries and abnormalities of the uterus and fallopian tubes. Assessing the organs can involve ultrasound, hysterosalpingography, sonohysterography, or MRI. We perform HSG (hysterosalpingography) and sonohysterography. Both involve the insertion of small catheters in the uterus with injection of contrast or sterile saline. HSG is best to assess the fallopian tubes and is often performed in the work up of infertility. The procedure itself can often open blocked fallopian tubes. Sonohysterography is best to assess the endometrial cavity (the inside of the uterus) and is often performed in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding.

Women’s Imagers are also specialists in obstetrical ultrasound and MRI. We are often asked to perform detailed scans when an abnormality is suspected in a fetus, placenta, or pregnant woman.