Queen's Medical Installs Breast Mri System
The Queen’s Medical Center has installed a new, advanced breast magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) system that provides physicians with higher quality images that allow them to more confidently diagnose and accurately intervene in breast cancer patients.
Many factors affect the image quality of an MRI , including the ability of the patient to stay as still as possible and the ability to closely image the breast. The advanced ergonomic design of the Sentinelle Vanguard breast MRI coil utilizes a memory foam concept, positioning “wings” and a comfortable sternum rest.
“A more comfortable patient equals minimal patient motion, and reduced motion provides a better image quality,” said Darlena Chadwick, Queen’s Vice President for Patient Care. “The Queen’s system utilizes a revolutionary prone biopsy system, allowing the radiologist 360-degree independent access to each breast. This allows for biopsy access with minimum needle travel required which can change patient outcomes as it reduces breast trauma.”
Variable Coil Geometry (VCG), a Sentinelle proprietary technology, allows coils to be adjusted and positioned in close proximity to the breast. This ability to optimize positioning for different breast sizes allows the system to provide consistent high quality breast images across patients, as well as providing the ability to accommodate larger breast sizes. VCG also allows for enhanced axilla coverage, which results in detecting lesions that may not be seen in conventional MRI tabletop coils.
“The Queen’s Medical Center is committed to providing the best in breast cancer detection and management,” said John Pearce, MD, Breast MRI Radiologist at the Queen’s Women’s Health Center.
“The breast coil is a powerful new tool for both our physicians and our community. With features not available in traditional breast MRI coils, the next generation system optimizes imaging and access and ultimately, patient comfort and care.”
The American Cancer Society recommends MRI examinations for certain women with an especially high risk of breast cancer in addition to annual mammograms. Screenings are recommended for women with one of the following: women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation; women with a first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child) with this gene mutation; women exposed to chest-area radiation between the ages of 10 and 30; or women with a lifetime risk of breast cancer scored at 20% - 25% or greater based on one of the several accepted risk assessment tools.
Many factors affect the image quality of an MRI , including the ability of the patient to stay as still as possible and the ability to closely image the breast. The advanced ergonomic design of the Sentinelle Vanguard breast MRI coil utilizes a memory foam concept, positioning “wings” and a comfortable sternum rest.
“A more comfortable patient equals minimal patient motion, and reduced motion provides a better image quality,” said Darlena Chadwick, Queen’s Vice President for Patient Care. “The Queen’s system utilizes a revolutionary prone biopsy system, allowing the radiologist 360-degree independent access to each breast. This allows for biopsy access with minimum needle travel required which can change patient outcomes as it reduces breast trauma.”
Variable Coil Geometry (VCG), a Sentinelle proprietary technology, allows coils to be adjusted and positioned in close proximity to the breast. This ability to optimize positioning for different breast sizes allows the system to provide consistent high quality breast images across patients, as well as providing the ability to accommodate larger breast sizes. VCG also allows for enhanced axilla coverage, which results in detecting lesions that may not be seen in conventional MRI tabletop coils.
“The Queen’s Medical Center is committed to providing the best in breast cancer detection and management,” said John Pearce, MD, Breast MRI Radiologist at the Queen’s Women’s Health Center.
“The breast coil is a powerful new tool for both our physicians and our community. With features not available in traditional breast MRI coils, the next generation system optimizes imaging and access and ultimately, patient comfort and care.”
The American Cancer Society recommends MRI examinations for certain women with an especially high risk of breast cancer in addition to annual mammograms. Screenings are recommended for women with one of the following: women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation; women with a first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child) with this gene mutation; women exposed to chest-area radiation between the ages of 10 and 30; or women with a lifetime risk of breast cancer scored at 20% - 25% or greater based on one of the several accepted risk assessment tools.
