In an effort to increase procedural precision and efficiency while decreasing patient anxiety, St. Tammany Health System’s Women’s Pavilion recently introduced to the Northshore a Hologic prone stereotactic breast biopsy system, its newest piece of leading-edge hardware.
It is one of just two such systems in use in the region.
“As the Northshore’s premiere destination for breast care, St. Tammany Health System’s Women’s Pavilion is dedicated to providing our patients with the most advanced care possible but also the most comfortable experience possible,” said Tiffany Raiford, the health system’s director of Imaging Services. “This new Hologic system accomplishes that beautifully. Our previous biopsy system did the job fine. This one just does it better.”
The centerpiece of the system is a cushioned, ergonomically engineered exam table, on which a patient lays facedown as a care provider uses a Brevera Breast Biopsy machine to sample suspect breast tissue. That sample is then sent off for analysis.
In addition to 2-D and 3-D mammography equipment, the biopsy system includes built-in imaging equipment to provide a real-time look at sampled tissue to confirm it contains the targeted abnormality, in many cases reducing the time required for the procedure.
An adjustable swing arm provides 360-degree access to the breast and can be easily re-positioned to sample suspect tissue. Previously, a patient would often have to be repositioned to get the best sample, and in some cases be moved to a less-than-ideal seated position, said Joy McWilliams, the breast imaging supervisor.
“The table, where the patient lays down on their stomach, is definitely more comfortable than what we had prior,” McWilliams said, “and the accuracy for the targeting of the doctor is more precise.”
The entire procedure takes around 30 minutes to complete, depending on the case, McWilliams said, and is no more uncomfortable than a routine mammogram.