Breast Imaging

Breast imaging includes imaging modalities used for breast cancer screenings and planning therapy once cancer is detected. Mammography is the primary modality used. Mammogram technology is moving from 2D full-field digital mammography (FFDM) to breast tomosynthesis, or 3D mammography, which helps reduce false positive exams by allowing radiologists to look through the layers of tissue. Overlapping areas of dense breast tissue on 2D mammograms appear similar to cancers and 3D tomo helps determine if suspect areas are cancer or not. About 50% of women have dense breast tissue, which appears white on mammograms, the same as cancers, making diagnosis difficult. Radiologists use the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) scoring system to define the density of breast tissue. Many states now require patients to be notified if they have dense breasts so they understand their mammograms might be suboptimal and they should use supplemental imaging that can see through the dense areas. This includes tomosythesis, breast ultrasound, automated breast ultrasound (ABUS), breast MRI, contrast enhanced mammography and nuclear imaging, including positron emission mammography (PEM).

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Society of Breast Imaging addresses importance of screening among minority populations

The Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) addressed the importance of diversity in breast imaging in a recent statement published online Jan. 9, stating that breast cancer does not affect all ethnic and socioeconomic populations equally.

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Insurer's price calculator severely underestimates breast MRI cost for Philadelphia woman

Although many insurance providers have invested in price calculators for patients to determine out-of-pocket costs, one Philadelphia woman discovered they may severely underestimate actual prices for services, according to a recent report by The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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SBI, Oxford University Press to publish new Journal of Breast Imaging

On Wednesday, Oct. 10, the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) and Oxford University Press (OUP) announced a partnership to publish the Journal of Breast Imaging (JBI)—the first peer-reviewed journal dedicated to breast imaging.

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Can diffusion-weighted imaging supplement dynamic contrast-enhanced breast MRI?

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) could help differentiate between benign and malignant tumors and predict tumor recurrence in breast cancer patients, according to research published Oct. 4 in Academic Radiology. The authors noted that DWI may also serve as a beneficial supplement to contrast-enhanced breast MRI.

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Cardiac monitoring may protect high-risk breast cancer patients against heart failure

While heart failure (HF) is an uncommon complication of breast cancer, a new study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology notes individuals treated with trastuzumab-based chemotherapy have a higher risk for HF—but they are not monitored for it, despite recommendations.

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Why would 41% of women with dense breasts avoid supplemental breast MRIs?

More than 41 percent of women with dense breasts will choose to forgo supplemental breast MRI after receiving a negative mammography screening, according to a study recently published in Clinical Radiology.

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Updated ACR/SBI breast cancer screening guidelines recognize higher risk in black women

The American College of Radiology (ACR) and Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) released updated breast cancer screening guidelines, April 4—the first to recognize black women face higher risks for the disease and should be screened accordingly.

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Philadelphia woman quoted $351 for breast MRI—then charged $4,650

A Pennsylvania woman was shocked when quoted $351 for a breast MRI from the Crozer-Keystone Health System, before being billed $4,650 for the exam.  

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