Haverhill, MA - January 22, 2007 - Dr. Linda Salzman, chief radiologist at Merrimack Valley Hospital (MVH), is excited about the addition of a new Lorad® SeleniaT digital mammography system.

"Digital mammography definitely has advantages for the patient," Dr. Salzman said in a recent interview. "It's quicker, offering a woman the convenience of having her mammogram without repeated imaging and exposure to radiation. For the radiologist, digital mammograms provide more comprehensive visibility. This translates into a win-win situation for the patient."

Women will notice little difference when going for a digital mammogram at Merrimack Valley Hospital. The procedure is the same as traditional film mammography, but less time consuming, since repeated repositioning of the breasts for additional imaging is frequently unnecessary. The radiologist can process and retrieve the images faster. And because digital mammography is "filmless," nothing has to be developed. Images are analyzed on a monitor and stored electronically. Of course, hard copies can always be produced if needed.

"Women with dense breasts can certainly benefit from a digital mammogram," Dr. Salzman said. "Many younger women and those choosing hormone replacement therapy may have dense breasts. For them, screening with digital mammography provides better visualization of the breast tissue," Dr. Salzman added.

When reading the results of a digital mammogram, the radiologist is better able to manipulate the image to see through the breast more clearly. "The latitude of visualization is better-from the skin line to the chest wall," said Dr. Salzman, who is a Board Certified Radiologist and a Fellow of the American College of Radiology. "If there are calcifications, for example, they can be enhanced or magnified. This aids in analyzing whether the calcifications are suspicious or not."

As always, at Merrimack Valley Hospital, the patient receives an indication of whether her mammogram is normal before leaving the office. To schedule an appointment for a digital mammogram, please call our breast center at (978) 521-8121.