Medical Imaging Service

At The Women's Clinic we have installed the state of the art diagnostic machines for medical imaging, our services include:

Breast Ultrasound

Mammograms do not detect all breast cancers. Ultrasound of the breast is employed to enable different structures and blood flow studies to be performed to help distinguish between benign and malignant lesions. It also allows for biopsy to be performed under ultrasound guidance for suspicious lumps.

Ultrasound imaging can help to determine if an abnormality is solid (which may be a non-cancerous lump of tissue or a cancerous tumor) or fluid-filled (such as a benign cyst) or both cystic and solid. It is an effective tool to help diagnose breast abnormalities detected by a physician during a physical exam and to characterize potential abnormalities seen on mammography.

Ultrasound is also useful for women who have dense breasts, have silicone breast implants, are pregnant or should not to be exposed to x-rays and are at high risk for breast cancer based on family history, personal history of breast cancer, or prior atypical biopsy result.

We recommend a baseline scan to be done around the mid 30s, and 2 yearly scanning from the age of 40 onwards, except when there are other risk factors present, in which case more frequent screening may be required.

Abdominal / Pelvic Ultrasound Screening

In women, a pelvic or abdominal ultrasound is most often performed to evaluate the bladder ovaries, uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes. Pelvic ultrasound exams are also used to monitor the health and development of an embryo or fetus during pregnancy.

In women who experience pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, or other menstrual problems, ultrasound can help in diagnosis. It also helps in identifying palpable masses such as ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids/ ovarian or uterine cancers.

The poor survival statistics for ovarian cancer is often associated with the fact that the disease is often not picked up until it is already very advanced. If it is caught in the early stages, the prognosis is actually very good.

For ovarian cancer screening – we recommend yearly screening for all postmenopausal women, with examination of the endometrium and ovaries by ultrasound scan +/- biochemical tumour markers.

Women with a family history of ovarian cancer, we suggest that screening should start 5 years before the age of onset in the affected relative. We also recommend regular screening for women who have had multiple stimulation cycles for infertility, as there is an increased risk for ovarian cancer in these patients.

A transvaginal ultrasound is usually performed to view the endometrium or the lining of the uterus, including its thickness and ovaries. Transvaginal ultrasound also affords a good way to evaluate the muscular walls of the uterus, called the myometrium.

Sonohysterography is employed for an in-depth investigation on uterine anomalies, scars endometrial polyps, fibroids, check tubal patency and cancer (in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding).