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Women's Imaging

Women’s Health

Women have unique needs when it comes to health services. Our team of women's care experts covers many different specialties, backgrounds and disciplines, bringing together a unique understanding of women’s issues.

To schedule an appointment in the Butler or Clarion Areas, call 724-284-4000.

To schedule an appointment in the Westmoreland Area, call 724-689-0100.

Convenient Imaging Options

IHS provides the latest in advanced diagnostic care, including 3D breast tomosynthesis and digital mammography. Just as importantly, we also offer services designed for your convenience, such as evening appointments, streamlined registration, a comfortable waiting room, and private changing rooms.

We are designated as a "Breast Imaging Center of Excellence" by the American College of Radiology – a distinction awarded to less than 50 centers in Pennsylvania.

Women's Imaging Services

Whether you need an appointment for routine testing or advanced treatment, we strive to provide individualized, state-of-the-art care for all women in our community.

From screening and diagnostic testing to treatment, our staff helps patients every step of the way. Our comprehensive, advanced technologies and services include:

  • 3D Mammography - Mammography is a process using low- energy x-rays to examine the human breast for diagnostic and screening. The goal for mammography is the early detection of breast cancer, typically through detection of characteristic masses or calcifications. These mammograms allow radiologists to manipulate contrast on the image results, making it easier to diagnose problems.
    • SmartCurve System - The SmartCurve system provides a curved compression surface that offers a more comfortable patient experience without compromising image quality, exam time, dose or workflow. Clinically proven to deliver a more comfortable mammogram, the SmartCurve system improves comfort in 93% of patients who reported moderate to severe discomfort with standard compression.
  • Abdominal Ultrasound - An ultrasound transducer moves across the skin of your midsection (belly) area. Organs that can be checked are Abdominal Aorta, Liver, Gallbladder, Spleen, Pancreas, and Kidneys.
    • For abdomen ultrasound you should have nothing to eat or drink for 8-12 hours before exam.
    • For test of Kidneys you may be asked to drink 32 oz of water about an hour before the test and nothing to eat 8-12 hours before test to avoid gas buildup in the intestines.
    • The test takes about 30 minutes.
    • Most people do not feel pain during the test. If your belly hurts already from injury or illness, the slight pressure from the transducer may be somewhat painful.
  • Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS) - Invenia ABUS is the only breast cancer screening technology FDA-approved for detection in women with dense breast tissue. Invenia ABUS is specifically developed to help doctors find cancers hidden in dense breast tissue, which may be missed by mammography.
  • Bone Densitometry- Otherwise known as a DEXA scan, using a bone mineral density test, a physician can take a picture of your bone and look for signs of damage, such as osteoporosis or fractures.
  • Breast Biopsy - In this procedure, problem areas in the breast are removed and examined for signs of cancer.
  • Breast Surgery - If our team spots something troubling during a breast MRI, our team of skilled surgeons are prepared to perform breast surgery.
  • Breast Ultrasound - Use of medical ultrasonography to perform imaging of the breast. It can be considered either a diagnostic or a screening procedure. It may be used either with or without a mammogram.
  • Galactogram (DUCTOGRAM) - A galactogram (ductogram) is a type of medical imaging used to view your breast ducts. It can be helpful in finding the cause of nipple discharge. A ductogram involves mammography and use of a contrast agent that is injected into the breast duct.
  • MRI Breast Scans and Biopsy - BHS uses advanced breast MRI’s to obtain image of the body’s soft tissue using magnetic field and radio waves, instead of X-rays.
  • Obstetrical Ultrasound - Pregnancy ultrasound can be done two ways. In a Transabdominal ultrasound, a small handheld device called a transducer is moved over your belly. In a transvaginal ultrasound, a transducer is inserted into your vagina. Ultrasound is a safe way to check for problems and get details about your fetus. It can assess things like size and position of fetus.
    • For a transabdominal ultrasound you will need a full bladder. This helps to see the cervical length and maternal ovaries better. If an ultrasound is done in the later part of pregnancy the bladder does not need to be as full.
    • 1st trimester scan takes about 30 minutes, 2nd trimester is about 60 minutes and 3rd trimester about 30 minutes.
    • During a transabdominal ultrasound, you may have a feeling of pressure over your abdominal/pelvic region when the transducer passes over.
    • Transvaginal ultrasound usually does not cause pain/discomfort. You may feel a light pressure while the transducer is moved in your vagina.
    • To provide a safe environment for all parties, enhance your experience and provide you with the best possible care, we ask that all patients and their guests adhere to the following guidelines for ultrasound procedures:
      • We ask that you limit the number of adult visitors in the exam room to no more than two at any one time.
      • The presence of unsupervised children during an invasive medical procedure is prohibited. Any child present for an exam must be accompanied by an adult who will at all times supervise the child. If supervised children are not following safety rules, they will be asked to leave the exam room and/or the appointment will not be completed.
      • Please silence all electronic devices prior to your examination. Camera use is not permitted in the examination room.
      • Please help us keep the noise level within the examination area to a respectful level. We are hopeful that these guidelines will contribute positively to your care and your experience.
  • Pelvic Ultrasound - An ultrasound transducer moves across the skin of your lower pelvic area. Organs that can be checked are uterus and ovaries along with the regions around the pelvic cavity. An additional part of the pelvic ultrasound testing is called a transvaginal ultrasound: a probe is inserted into the vagina. It can show a more detailed look at the reproductive organs and tissue.
    • For pelvic ultrasound you should drink 32 ounces of water 1 hour before your test. A full bladder is needed to get adequate images.
    • The test takes about 30 minutes.
    • Most people do not feel pain during the test. If your pelvic area hurts already from injury or illness, the slight pressure from the transducer may be somewhat painful.
  • Radioactive Seed Localization (RSL) - A radioactive seed localization (RSL) is a procedure where a tiny metal seed, about the size of a small sesame seed, is placed into abnormal breast tissue to mark its location. It may be done if the abnormal tissue is too small to be seen or felt by hand.
  • Stereotactic Biopsy - Stereotactic biopsy is often used on breasts to look for microcalcifications—and early sign of breast cancer.
  • Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy - In these less-invasive biopsies, a radiologist uses an ultrasound to spot an abnormality and remove a sample of the tissue for testing.

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