The Royal Hospital

The new Breast Imaging Suite at the Royal Hospital was inaugurated on 10th March 2010 by the Director General Dr. Ghazi bin Omar Al Zubaidi. This suite includes the following state-of-art equipment to cater to the most complex requirements of mammography, ultrasound and biopsy of the breast:

The fully digital mammography unit, from Hologic, is one of the best in terms of high resolution and low radiation dose. Its sophisticated workstation analyzes the images with extensive post-processing capabilities (magnifications, contrast, density manipulations, reversal of the black and white images, measuring, comparison with previous images and other modality images like ultrasound and MRI etc), along with computer assistance detection capabilities. This assists the radiologist in detecting small lesions and subtle abnormalities.

The suite includes a high end digital ultrasound unit, for further assistance in detecting and characterization of abnormalities seen on the mammogram, or felt clinically. It is also used to perform ultrasound guided biopsies.

Additionally, there is a computerized biopsy table/unit for needle biopsy of suspicious lesions. This unit significantly increases the accuracy and speed of obtaining small biopsies from suspicious lesions. The procedure is carried out with the patient lying down comfortably in prone position. There is also a mechanized computerized vacuum biopsy suction unit, which is used to take large biopsies with the above unit, or with ultrasound or MRI guided images.

This new breast imaging suite, along with the existing MRI mammography set up, will considerably enhance the Royal Hospital’s capabilities for diagnosis and management of breast diseases.

Dr. Assim Derweesh
Senior Consultant Radiologist