Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Introduction
Contrast Enhanced Spectral Mammography (CESM) is a special type of Mammogram that is performed after an IV injection of a special dye (called contrast medium). CESM shows all of the information of a regular Mammogram but also shows areas of increased blood supply.
Breast cancer typically has a greater blood supply than normal tissue, so it is highlighted on the images.
Before your appointment
Please let us know by calling our bookings team (contact details are displayed on the main Radiology page) prior to your appointment if:
- If you are pregnant or have breast-fed within the last 3 months
- If you have breast implants
- If you have an allergy to iodine or previous injections of X-ray contrast dye
- If you have severely impaired kidney function
- If you have limited mobility and / or require a hoist
Please review the CT contrast safety questionnaire enclosed in this letter and fill this in before your appointment. This can be completed on paper and where indicated this can also be completed online.
On Arrival
Please arrive 10 minutes before your appointment time.
On arrival in the department, you should check in at the reception desk. Bring this letter with you and be prepared to confirm your details with the receptionist. Please allow time to do this prior to your appointment time and bear in mind that the reception may be busy. Once you have been booked in you will be directed to the waiting area. Please be aware that patients are attending for different examinations and patients who arrive after you may be called before you.
All patients (12-55) who will undergo a Radiology procedure will be asked about the possibility of them being pregnant, regardless of gender.
What to wear
It is helpful to wear a separate top, and skirt or trousers.
Giving my consent (permission)
We want to involve you in decisions about your care and treatment. The mammographer (Radiographer specialising in breast imaging) will ask you if you are happy for the procedure to go ahead - this is called verbal consent. If you do not wish to have the scan or are undecided, please tell the mammographer. It is your decision and you can change your mind at any time.
The Procedure
A small plastic tube (cannula) will be inserted into a vein, usually in the crease of your elbow or in the back of your hand. You will then be given an injection of the X-ray dye through the cannula, and this may make you feel a little bit warm as it flows around the body; this is normal and nothing to be concerned about.
After a short interval, the Mammographer will position your breasts, one at a time, in the Mammogram machine and apply compression to the breast and take the Mammogram. The Mammogram takes a few minutes, and your breasts are only compressed for a short time each.
When the Mammograms have been taken, you will be asked to sit in the waiting room. The cannula will be left in whilst the images are checked, and then removed before you go home.
After the Examination
You will be free to resume your daily activities.
Risks
- Discomfort: You may experience some discomfort during the procedure. You may have some red marks on your breasts after the mammogram, but these should fade fairly quickly.
- Contrast: Occasionally, unpredictable allergic reactions (such as a rash) might occur following the contrast injection. These effects are usually mild and of short duration, therefore we ask you to stay in the department for 15-30 minutes after the scan. If, however, they become more severe medical treatment is necessary. Staff in the Radiology Department are trained to deal with any complications and again the risk involved is very small.
- There is a small risk that the injection of contrast can leak out into the skin instead of in the vein causing local pain, redness and occasionally tissue damage. If this does happen then advice will be given to by the mammographer at the time.
- Radiation: A mammogram uses ionising X-ray radiation. Everyone receives ionising radiation every day from radioactivity in the air, food we eat and the sun. Your age, size and the body part being scanned will influence the amount of medical radiation used and theoretical risks of additional exposure. The benefit of the scan is making the correct diagnosis or treatment plan and a radiology specialist has agreed that this benefit outweighs the risks of radiation exposure. The radiographers are trained to obtain the best possible imaging using the lowest amount of radiation possible and the equipment is regularly checked to ensure it is safe and effective.
The Results
The results will be made available to the requesting doctor and will usually take about 10-14 working days. You will receive an outpatient appointment to obtain the results.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Radiology service.
About this information
Service:
Radiology
Reference:
PILS-MAMM.1
Approval date:
26 July 2024
Review date:
26 July 2027
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.