Imaging for Women at St. Joseph's

St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona is dedicated to providing the highest quality comprehensive imaging services for women's health. With accreditation by the American College of Radiology, our technologists and radiologists provide patients and physicians with highly accurate test results.

Bone Density Scanning

Also called bone densitometry or dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (D)XA or DEXA, a bone density scan is a form of x-ray technology used to measure bone loss. The test is most often performed on the lower spine and hips, and its results can help diagnose osteoporosis and track progress during treatment.

Breast Imaging

Ultrasound

Breast Ultrasound, also known as sonography or ultrasonography, is used to evaluate breast abnormalities that are found etiher in amammography or during a physician-performed clinical breast exam. Ultrasound allows significant freedom in obtaining images of the breast from almost any angle. Ultrasound is excellent at imaging cysts, which are round, fluid-filled pockets inside the breast. Additionally, ultrasound can often quickly determine if a suspicious area is in fact a benign cyst (a)lways non-cancerous or a solid mass, which may require a biopsy to determine if it is malignant (c)ancerous.

Breast MRI

Breast MRI has emerged as a powerful tool in detecting breast cancer as well as determining the extent of the disease once it is diagnosed. MRI's are a non-invasive, usually painless procedure that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create digital images of your breast that can be used as an extremely sensitive method of disease detection throughout the breast and surrounding area.

Mammography

A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray that creates an image of a woman's breast, allowing radiologists to detect the presence of breast cancer or other breast diseases.

Computer Aided Detection is used in screening mammograms, which enhances the radiologists ability to detect even the smallest abnormality.

Diagnostic mammogram is performed when a woman or her physician has discovered abnormal symptoms or as a follow-up to a mammographic finding.

Image-Guided Breast Biopsy

Breast MRI biopsy

An MRI machine is used to guide the radiologist's instruments to the site of the abnormality identified on your earlier MRI study.

Stereotactic Breast Biopsy

Stereotactic technology uses "stereo" x-rays (x)-rays taken from multiple angles and a special biopsy needle to identify breast abnormalities. This procedure is very useful when suspicious changes can't be seen by a mammogram or an ultrasound.

Ultrasound-Guided Breast Biopsy

An ultrasound-guided breast biopsy is performed by using ultrasound to locate the area in question. Unlike procedures that require the use of X-Ray, ultrasound-guided biopsy requires no exposure to radiation.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization

Uterine fibroid embolization is a nonsurgical treatment for benign uterine tumors, called leiomyomas, or fibroids. During embolization, tiny particles are injected into the artery that supplies blood to the tumor in the uterus until the artery is blocked off (embolized). Once blocked, the fibroid becomes deprived of oxygen, shrinks in size and eventually dies.

Learn More about Imaging for Women at St. Joseph's

For more information about radiology procedures for women or to make an appointment, please call (602) 406-6700.

Our fax number is 602.406.5188.