Women's Diagnostic Center

Women have unique medical needs throughout their lifetime, such as pregnancy, gynecologic conditions, and menopause, that may require specialized imaging and diagnostic testing. At NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital’s Women’s Diagnostic Center, specialists from NewYork-Presbyterian & Weill Cornell Medicine provide advanced diagnostic and imaging services to women in every stage of life.

Our services include:

• Breast Imaging (including Mammography)
• Bone Densitometry
• Stereotactic (Needle Core) Biopsy and Fine-Needle Aspiration

With programs geared to the diagnosis of illnesses and medical conditions of concern to women of all ages, the Center focuses on prevention and early detection. These programs are supported by highly trained staff members who specialize in the performance, interpretation and analysis of the most effective techniques for the diagnosis of women’s diseases. The American College of Radiology accredits the Center.

Our ob-gyns provide referrals to patients for imaging and diagnostic testing.

Diagnostic and Imaging Services

Breast Imaging

NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist has been designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR), making it one of only two hospitals in Brooklyn to receive this prestigious honor. ACR Center of Excellence accreditation is considered the gold seal for imaging procedures and confirms that women receiving their mammograms and breast sonograms at NYPBMH’s Department of Radiology are being treated with the highest level of care.

At NYP Brooklyn Methodist, our breast imaging radiologists offer a full range of breast imaging tests to detect breast cancer, including digital and 3D mammography, breast ultrasound, and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). When imaging tests suggest that your breast tissue should be further analyzed for abnormal cells, our interventional radiologists offer stereotactic, ultrasound-guided, and MRI-guided biopsies on site.

Our breast imaging specialists provide the highest quality screening and diagnostic breast care in supportive and comfortable settings. A radiologist with expertise in breast imaging evaluates every exam. Our services include:

• Digital and 3D mammography
• Breast ultrasound
• Breast MRI
• Upright stereotactic, ultrasound-guided, and MRI-guided breast biopsy
• Needle localization
• Breast reflector placement

Mammography

Mammograms are still considered the best screening tool for most women. Mammography is a safe, simple exam that uses a low dose X-ray procedure to take a picture of a woman’s internal breast tissue. Mammography exams, called a mammogram, are used as a screening tool to diagnose breast diseases or detect breast cancer in women with no symptoms. Changes in the breast can be detected up to two years before a patient or a doctor can feel them. Mammograms also serve as diagnostic tools to evaluate irregularities in the breast found by the woman or her doctor or as a follow-up to an irregularity found in a screening mammogram.

Women should follow the American Cancer Society guidelines to begin annual mammograms at age 40. In order to limit radiation exposure, sonograms of the breast are the preferred breast cancer testing method for women under 40, as the sound waves created by the technology allow a radiologist to see the tissue inside the breast. Speak with your healthcare provider to determine the age you should start your screening and the frequency at which you should receive a mammogram.

Bone Densitometry

A bone densitometry scan is a diagnostic test to reveal the density of a person’s bones, which can indicate the presence of osteoporosis. A bone scan helps your doctor make the diagnosis and begin treatment to help prevent fractures.

Early detection of bone density loss allows for preventive measures that can greatly improve quality of life and even reverse osteoporosis. The simple 8-minute scan is performed while you are fully clothed and reclining on a padded platform. Bone density scanning is recommended for the following patients . . .

• Post-menopausal women who do not take estrogen
• Post-menopausal women taller than 5 feet 7 inches, or weighing less than 125 lbs
• Men who have clinical conditions associated with bone loss
• Patients who have had x-ray evidence of a spine fracture and/or other signs of osteoporosis
• Patients who have had a hip fracture
• Patients who have had a fracture after a mild trauma
• Patients who have a history of smoking
• Patients using medications that may cause bone loss including corticosteroids, anti-seizure medications, barbiturates or high-dose thyroid replacement drugs
• Patients with type 2 diabetes
• Patients with liver disease
• Patients with kidney disease.
• Patients with a family history of osteoporosis
• Patients with high bone turnover
• Patients with a thyroid or parathyroid condition

Genetic Testing and Counseling

Prenatal Genetic Testing and Counseling

Prenatal genetic testing gives expecting parents information about whether their fetus has genetic abnormalities, including genetic disorders (such as Down syndrome and other aneuploidies, deletions, and duplications) or single-gene disorders (such as sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, and Tay-Sachs disease). Our imaging team offers patients a full range of prenatal genetic screening and testing, including chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis to help them along their journey. If needed, a patient’s ob-gyn can provide a referral for genetic counseling.

Hereditary Cancer Risk Assessment

We offer genetic risk assessment and counseling for individuals with personal and family histories of breast and gynecologic cancers of the ovaries and uterus, hereditary colon cancer and other cancer predisposition syndromes. Our patients receive comprehensive information about the recommended cancer genetic testing approach with personalized counseling to support decision-making and next steps. We work closely with our patient’s providers to integrate the test results into the patient’s managed care plan, which may include regular screenings and follow-up care.

Stereotactic (Needle Core) Biopsy and Fine-Needle Aspiration

Stereotactic Biopsy

Stereotactic biopsy is a simple procedure that allows a doctor to remove a tiny section of breast tissue that requires follow-up after appearing as an irregularity in a mammogram. This modern procedure provides the same reliability as a more complicated surgical biopsy. A stereotactic biopsy is performed quickly with local anesthesia. It involves no hospitalization, no scarring, and no recovery time. Perhaps most important, the results are available quickly. In most cases, biopsies performed will turn out to be benign.

Fine-Needle Aspiration

Fine-needle aspiration is similar procedure to the stereotactic biopsy, but is performed when cystic material in the body has been diagnosed. Fine-needle aspiration is a simple procedure to drain fluid from cysts or lesions in the body. Like the stereotactic biopsy, a fin-needle aspiration is performed quickly, with local anesthesia. It involves no hospitalization, no scarring, and no recovery time. Perhaps most important, the results are available quickly. In most cases, biopsies performed will turn out to be benign.

Our Approach to Care

Individualized and Comprehensive Care Throughout the Age Span

Women have unique healthcare needs that require a comprehensive and personalized approach. At NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, we provide exceptional health care that meets each woman’s individualized needs throughout their lifespan.

While we treat all of the various health conditions that may arise in women’s lives, we go well beyond that, by offering programs to anticipate and prevent conditions that are particularly common in women. Through the NewYork-Presbyterian healthcare network, we can connect you to the experts who can address your unique and changing health needs. Our goal is to partner with you in shared decision-making and empower you with knowledge, support, and the best approaches to protect and improve your health and wellbeing.

A Holistic Approach to Health and Wellness

We believe health and wellness involve healing the whole person — body, mind, and spirit. To address the full spectrum of women’s needs, we offer an array of therapeutic options and support services including specialized programs and education that inspire healthy ways of living and enrich quality of life.

Why Choose Us

Seamless Access to World-Class Medical Experts

NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital is affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine, an ivy league medical school that is among the nation’s best in patient care, medical education, and research. We offer many highly specialized services typically found in an academic medical center, but without the commute to Manhattan and in the comfortable setting of a local community hospital. You have access to the world-class resources available through our affiliations with the NewYork-Presbyterian healthcare network, ensuring you receive the most advanced care close to home.

Breast Imaging Center of Excellence

NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital has been designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR), making it one of only two hospitals in Brooklyn to receive this prestigious honor. ACR Center of Excellence accreditation is considered the gold seal for imaging procedures and confirms that women receiving their mammograms and breast sonograms at the Hospital’s Department of Radiology are being treated with the highest level of care.

Convenient Locations

Through NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Group Brooklyn, we offer women’s health care services at several convenient locations close to your workplace.