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Digital
Technology Helps the Rostagno Medical Group Create
a Center for Excellence in Women’s
Imaging
Buenos Aires, Argentina
When
the Rostagno Medical Group opened its doors in 2009
it was one of the few diagnostic centers in Argentina
dedicated solely to women’s imaging.
Founder and director of the clinic, Dr. Roman Rostagno
brought together a team of six radiologists experienced
in breast imaging and equipped them with state-of-the
art technology to create a centre of excellence
for women’s health.
As
founding president of the chapter of the Breast
Imaging of the Argentine Society of Radiology, and
president of last meeting of SIBIM (Iberoamerican
Society of Breast Imaging) in Buenos Aires, September
2009, Dr. Rostagno knows the importance of early
identification of breast cancer and the difference
technology can make in the detection and categorization
of small lesions, in every women. “I opened
my new clinic to focus exclusively on providing
women with access to the most advanced technology
for the early detection of breast cancer,”
states Dr. Rostagno.
Located
in Buenos Aires, the clinic offers comprehensive
breast health services including, digital mammography,
breast ultrasound, and stereotactic and core biopsy
services. When it came time to purchase equipment
for the new clinic, Dr. Rostagno relied on his previous
experience with digital technology as well as the
experience of his colleagues. He installed
one Hologic Selenia® digital mammography systems,
Suros ATEC® core biopsy solution, and Hologic’s
R2™ ImageChecker® CAD (computer-aided detection)
system. “I chose Hologic because I saw a demonstration
of the equipment and it was fantastic. Plus,
many radiologists I know in other countries, including
Chile and Brazil, are working with the equipment
and they recommended I use the Selenia.”
Digital
Technology Captures Images Faster and More Efficiently
“When I saw the potential of full-field digital
mammography (FFDM), compared to images obtained
with analogue systems, I did not hesitate to incorporate
it,” states Dr. Rostagno. Dr. Rostagno
was impressed with the resolution of the digital
images, which is particularly important in the identification
of microcalcifications. “The most significant
advantages are visible in pre-and peri-menopausal
patients with dense breasts.”
Dr. Rostagno and his team are also impressed with
how quickly and efficiency the Selenia captures
images. With digital technology, images are available
immediately; there is no film to develop and there
is no downtime while the technician processes film.
“The Selenia obtains images faster and more
efficiently than analog systems,” states Dr.
Rostagno. “Digital technology has really
changed our process, reducing the time required
to capture, review, and interpret the images. We
are able to provide women with results much more
quickly.”
The
clinic’s radiologists view the digital images
on one Hologic SecurView™ diagnostic workstations
which enable radiologists to magnify an area, change
contrast, or alter the brightness of the digital
image. “I can manipulate an image to get a
better view of any lesions or abnormalities,”
explains Dr. Rostagno. Digital technology
also simplifies the storage and retrieval of images
allowing the clinic’s radiologists to obtain
prior images quickly and compare current and prior
images side-by-side on the monitor.
For example, in the past, it took me 30 to 40 minutes
to perform pre-operative wire localization; now,
with FFDM, I can complete the procedure in 5 minutes.”
“The ability to save images for future
comparisons also is very important especially if
you see the patient every year,” states Dr.
Rostagno.
The clinic performs biopsies using the Suros vacuum
assisted biopsy device, which enables the removal
of multiple samples with a single needle insertion.
“I like the speed of the procedure with Suros
and the amount of tissue I can remove from the patient,”
explains Dr. Rostagno.
“We are also using Hologic’s R2 CAD
to assist in the detection of findings, but until
now we haven’t recognized substantial advantages…that
may be possible in the future… ”
says Dr. Rostagno. “FFDM is a platform that
will allow us to incorporate more complex technologies
such as tomosynthesis, angiography, and telemedicine,
in the future.”
“The
advantage of digital technology is tremendous, and
combined with our experienced radiology staff, it
provides our patients with the highest level of
care,” concludes Dr. Rostagno. “We
have been able to reduce the time required for testing
and provide women with results much faster. I am
very happy with the equipment I have chosen.”
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