Avestée Women’s Imaging Center Receives ACR Breast Center of Excellence Accreditation

San Antonio, TX – October 23, 2013 – Avestée Women’s Imaging Center of Alamo Heights today announced it has earned the American College of Radiology’s “Breast Center of Excellence” accreditation. This accomplishment was earned by passing a stringent review in all three areas of breast imaging: Mammography, Stereotactic Breast Biopsy and Breast Ultrasound. 

Avestée Women’s Imaging Center is one of the few centers in San Antonio to offer 3D Digital Breast Tomosynthesis technology as part of its comprehensive breast imaging services. Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT), or 3D mammography, was approved by the FDA in February 2011 for breast cancer screening.  Having a better, more reliable view of the breast tissue via 3D technology helps increase the efficacy of the test and catching breast cancer at earlier stages.

“Earning this accreditation was important to me and my team because it validates the excellent work being performed by the highly trained, dedicated women’s imagers at Avestée,” said founder Dr. Suzanne Dabbous. “Not only do we offer the best breast screening technology but we combine that great technology with an outstanding team to assist our patients. We believe so strongly in the importance of 3D screening for women that we don’t charge extra for 3D mammograms at Avestée. Every woman who gets a mammogram here receives a 3D mammogram and the price is the same as what they would pay for a traditional 2D screening.” 

There are many similarities between a 2D/3D combination mode mammogram and the 2D digital mammogram. The big difference is that the 3D mammogram collects images as the machine makes a quick arc over the patient’s breast tissue. These images are then reconstructed into a data set allowing the radiologist to examine the breast tissue in 1 mm slices. This 3D visibility effectively removes summation artifact (harmless objects such as glandular tissue and blood vessels which are photographically superimposed to resemble cancer) from the breast imaging equation. Summation artifact is the leading cause for call back exams. 3D breast screening is particularly effective for women who have dense breast tissue.

In addition to screening and diagnostic mammogram services. Avestée also offers breast ultrasounds, a full spectrum of body imaging services, ultrasound services, ultrasound guided biopsy and bone density studies. Appointments can be made online. The facility accepts most major commercial insurance, HMO/PPO plans, Medicare, and other government sponsored health coverage.