If certainty is the holy grail of diagnostic breast imaging, then opto-acoustic ultrasound is the treasure map showing exactly where to find it. While other imaging modalities can help distinguish a benign lesion from a malignant mass, only OA/US provides the radiologist with a more definitive diagnosis without invasive medicine, ionizing radiation or claustrophobic dread.

Few radiology subspecialties can match breast imaging at adopting new imaging modalities to improve patient care. Consider: The past 10 to 15 years have seen the rise of digital breast tomosynthesis, automated breast ultrasound, breast MRI (with and without diffusion weighting), low-dose positron emission mammography and contrast-enhanced dual-energy digital mammography. That’s just to name a few.  

When it comes to breast imaging, a few new technologies have improved the visualization of lesions and diagnostic procedures. But a new modality could change the game completely.