This game-changing breast imaging device delivers unparalleled imaging quality, enhancing diagnostic accuracy while providing a more comfortable experience. Bedford Breast Center in Beverly Hills is the first and only breast center in Los Angeles to offer the Koning Vera Scan Breast CT to patients in Santa Monica, Glendale, Malibu, and the surrounding areas.
What Is Vera Scan?
Vera Scan is a state-of-the-art breast imaging modality that provides your medical team with a detailed, three-dimensional view of your breast tissue using CT technology. Unlike traditional mammograms, which can be uncomfortable and less effective in detecting certain abnormalities, the Vera Scan Breast CT offers a precise and more comfortable experience. With its exceptional spatial resolution and ability to capture fine details, this technology detects even the smallest lesions for early and accurate breast cancer detection.
A New Standard in Breast Imaging: What Sets Vera Scan Apart
Koning Vera Scan Breast CT offers advanced 3D breast imaging that allows physicians to view breast tissue from every angle. As the scanner rotates around the woman’s breast, it builds a complete 360-degree picture, producing images that reveal detail more conventional imaging modalities can’t match. This technology also eliminates the painful compression often associated with a mammogram, making screening more comfortable for many patients.
This comprehensive view makes Vera Scan an exceptional problem-solving tool for radiologists and breast surgeons alike. Its enhanced diagnostic capabilities are especially beneficial for women with increased breast density, where abnormalities may be more difficult to identify using conventional imaging methods. Clinical research has demonstrated that the high spatial resolution of breast CT imaging significantly improves the ability to detect Stage 1 breast cancer and identify signs of developing breast cancer, which carries a 98% cure rate when caught early. Earlier detection means earlier intervention, helping healthcare providers make informed decisions about treatment planning and improving patient outcomes.
The Advantages of Vera Scan Breast CT
The Vera Scan Breast CT brings meaningful improvements to the breast imaging experience from both a clinical and comfort standpoint:
Superior Image Clarity: The high spatial resolution of the Vera Breast CT produces detailed, three-dimensional images of the breast that support precise diagnoses, from benign cysts to early-stage malignancies.
Greater Diagnostic Confidence: As a dedicated breast imaging device, Vera Scan is purpose-built to evaluate breast tissue with greater accuracy.
No Breast Compression: Unlike a standard diagnostic mammogram, the Koning Vera Scan Breast CT requires no breast compression whatsoever. There is no squeezing, no discomfort, and often, far less anxiety about the procedure.
Safe for Breast Implants: Because this technology eliminates the need for pressure or manipulation, it is a safe and comfortable option for patients with implants.
Low Radiation Dose Levels: Patient safety is built into the design. The Vera Scan uses radiation dose levels that are carefully managed to deliver high-quality results while minimizing exposure.
Efficient Scanning: Each breast is scanned in approximately seven seconds, making the entire visit fast and straightforward.
Together, these features make Vera Scan a powerful, patient-centered advancement in breast cancer detection.
How the Vera Scan Process Works
From start to finish, your Vera Scan appointment is designed to be smooth, comfortable, and efficient. Here is what to expect:
Before the Exam: A staff member will guide you to a dressing room and provide a gown. You will remove clothing from the waist up, along with any necklaces or eyeglasses.
Getting into Position: The imaging table features an open design with a central depression where scanning occurs. You will lie face down so that the breast falls naturally away from the body — no awkward positioning or compression required.
The Scan Itself: The Koning Breast CT system acquires high-spatial-resolution images of the breast from multiple angles without any direct contact with your body. The machine operates quietly, with minimal sound or vibration, so you can relax throughout the process. Because this breast imaging device is engineered around patient comfort, most women find the experience far less stressful than a conventional mammogram.
Safety and Accuracy: Radiation dose levels are kept low by design, and the clinical research behind this technology confirms that image quality is not sacrificed in the process.¹ The result is a fast, precise set of images of the breast that gives your care team exceptional spatial resolution for confident evaluation.
Unparalleled Expertise With a Compassionate Touch
Dr. Richardson and Dr. Memsic are two of the top breast surgeons in Los Angeles, using innovative techniques to create excellent clinical and aesthetic outcomes.
For even more accurate breast cancer detection, we often use a contrast dye to highlight areas of concern, making it easier to distinguish between healthy tissue and potential abnormalities. This is especially beneficial for patients with dense breast tissue, implants, or those at higher risk of breast cancer.
Unlike MRI studies that evaluate breast tissue using gadolinium, a heavy metal-based dye, the Vera Scan Breast CT uses an iodine-based contrast, a natural mineral your body relies on for metabolic and endocrine function.
Who Should Consider a Vera Breast CT Scan?
The Koning Vera Breast CT is an ideal problem-solving tool for women who require a more detailed approach to breast imaging. If you have dense breast tissue, large or small breasts, implants, or a family history of breast cancer, this advanced technology could be particularly beneficial for you.
Dense Breasts: Dense breast tissue and cancer both appear white on a standard diagnostic mammogram, making abnormalities difficult to isolate. Because mammograms look through all tissue at once, cancers can hide within overlapping layers. Vera Scan’s ability to evaluate breast tissue in three dimensions, combined with contrast that highlights abnormal blood flow patterns, makes it far more effective at revealing what a conventional mammogram may miss.
Implants: This breast imaging device requires no breast compression and no manipulation of implants, making it a safe and worry-free alternative for augmented patients.
Tender or Sensitive Tissue: Women who experience pain or sensitivity will appreciate the no-compression approach that makes Vera Scan a comfortable experience from start to finish.
Post-Surgical Patients: If you have recently undergone breast surgery, the gentle, contact-free nature of the Vera Scan Breast CT allows for precise imaging without placing any stress on healing tissue.
Vera Scan FAQs
Is Vera Scan covered by insurance?
Coverage for Vera Scan varies by insurance plan and clinical indication. When ordered for diagnostic purposes, such as evaluating a specific concern or following up on an abnormal mammogram, it is more likely to be covered than when used for screening alone. Bedford Breast Center's team can help you understand your coverage options and navigate the insurance process; contact our office for personalized guidance.
How does Vera Scan differ from a breast MRI?
Both Vera Scan and breast MRI use contrast enhancement to evaluate breast tissue in three dimensions, but they differ in meaningful ways. Vera Scan uses iodine-based contrast, a naturally occurring mineral, rather than gadolinium (a heavy metal) used in MRI, which some patients tolerate better and carries a lower risk of tissue deposition. Vera Scan is also faster, does not require lying still in an enclosed tube, and is not affected by metal implants or claustrophobia. MRI remains the standard for certain indications, but Vera Scan offers a compelling alternative for many patients, particularly those with dense tissue or implants.
How often should I get a Vera Scan?
The appropriate frequency depends on your individual risk profile, breast density, and what your physician is monitoring. For higher-risk patients or those with dense breast tissue, annual supplemental imaging alongside a mammogram may be recommended. Your care team at Bedford Breast Center will work with you to determine the screening schedule that gives you the most comprehensive picture of your breast health.
Is the contrast dye used in Vera Scan safe for patients with allergies or kidney concerns?
Vera Scan uses an iodine-based contrast agent, which carries a small risk of allergic reaction, similar to the contrast used in standard CT imaging. Patients with a known iodine or contrast allergy, or those with impaired kidney function, should inform the team before their appointment, as pre-medication or an alternative imaging approach may be recommended. Bedford Breast Center's clinical staff reviews each patient's medical history to ensure the safest possible experience.
Can Vera Scan detect all types of breast cancer?
Vera Scan is highly effective at detecting a wide range of breast abnormalities, including invasive cancers, and is particularly strong at identifying Stage 1 breast cancer, which carries a 98% cure rate, thanks to its full 360-degree view and contrast-enhanced imaging. No single imaging modality detects every cancer in every patient, which is why Bedford Breast Center takes an integrated approach to screening, combining technologies such as 3D mammography, ultrasound, and Vera Scan to provide each patient with the most thorough evaluation possible.
How do I prepare for a Vera Scan appointment?
Preparation is straightforward. You will be asked to remove clothing from the waist up and any necklaces or glasses before the scan. If contrast dye is being used, the team may ask about allergies and kidney function in advance. No compression is involved, so there is no need to schedule around breast tenderness. Plan for your appointment to last approximately 30 to 60 minutes from check-in to completion, though the actual scan itself takes only about seven seconds per breast.
How long does it take to receive results after a Vera Scan?
Results are typically reviewed and communicated within a few business days of your scan. Because Bedford Breast Center integrates screening, diagnosis, and treatment under one roof, our radiologists and breast specialists can coordinate quickly if follow-up is needed, minimizing the wait and uncertainty that often accompanies imaging at facilities without that depth of expertise.
Is Vera Scan safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding?
Vera Scan involves low-dose radiation and, when contrast is used, an iodine-based dye, both of which are generally avoided during pregnancy out of an abundance of caution. Women who are breastfeeding may need to pause nursing for a short period following contrast administration. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please let our team know before scheduling so we can recommend the most appropriate imaging option for your situation.
Can Vera Scan replace a mammogram as my annual screening?
Vera Scan is a powerful supplemental imaging tool, but at this time, mammography remains the standard recommended annual screening for breast cancer detection due to its extensive evidence base and insurance coverage. Vera Scan is particularly valuable as an addition to mammography for women with dense breast tissue, implants, or elevated risk. Bedford Breast Center will help you determine how Vera Scan fits into your personalized screening plan.
Is Vera Scan available for patients who have had a prior breast cancer diagnosis?
Yes. Vera Scan is well-suited for patients with a prior breast cancer diagnosis who require detailed surveillance imaging. Its contrast-enhanced 3D views are especially useful for monitoring treated breast tissue, evaluating areas of concern, and distinguishing between post-treatment changes and potential recurrence. Bedford Breast Center's team, which offers the full continuum of breast care from screening through treatment, is uniquely positioned to interpret and act on these findings within a coordinated care plan.
The breast surgeons at Bedford Breast Center in Beverly Hills are innovative physicians who provide compassionate, personalized patient care. Our world-class facility serves patients from throughout Los Angeles, Southern California, and nationwide. To learn more about our center and whether breast reconstruction revision may be a good option for you, call us at
(310) 278-8590 or contact us using the online form to schedule an appointment.
Sources:
¹ Boone JM, Nelson TR, Lindfors KK, Seibert JA. Dedicated breast CT: radiation dose and image quality evaluation. Radiology. 2001;221(3):657-667.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11719660/
