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).

breast radiologist breast cancer mammography

Survey says most women skip their recommended mammogram

Women cite a lack of time as the primary reason for not scheduling a mammogram, according to a survey from one large health system.

Siemens Mammomat B.brilliant

3D scanner capable of 5-second mammograms unveiled in Europe

Siemens Healthineers unveiled the new technology at the annual congress of the European Society of Breast Imaging in Valencia, Spain.

breast cancer screening mammography

As synthetic mammography keeps improving, it may soon be the new standard

Synthetic mammography has certain disadvantages, but they may be outweighed by its improved safety.

breast radiologist breast cancer mammography

Hologic and Bayer join forces to improve breast cancer detection

The two companies have joined forces to push for contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) adoption worldwide.

How MRI “fingerprinting” could help personalize breast cancer treatment

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University are commissioning a study to determine if a novel MRI technique can predict the effectiveness of chemotherapy in treating breast cancer.

IGAR surgical robot. Image courtesy of Insight Medbotics.

FDA clears new MRI-compatible robot for breast biopsies

The newly cleared device from Insight Medbotics represents a collaboration between robotics experts and surgeons. 

breast cancer mammography mammogram

AI proves a qualified second reader for screening mammography

According to one radiologist, the continued success of AI could make second reads for screening mammograms a thing of the past. 

artificial intelligence consultation

Combining AI models leads to better breast cancer risk assessments

A new study out of Denmark suggests two advanced artificial intelligence algorithms are better than one. 

Around the web

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.

The newly cleared offering, AutoChamber, was designed with opportunistic screening in mind. It can evaluate many different kinds of CT images, including those originally gathered to screen patients for lung cancer. 

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