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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70% of breast radiologists surveyed either unsure about or had zero LGBTQ competency training

The finding is part of a survey of 400 breast imaging experts, published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology

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Survey explores radiology practices’ surveillance preferences when monitoring breast cancer survivors

There is “immense variability” in how this is handled in clinical practice, with a lack of evidence-based literature, experts wrote in JACR

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Male breast cancer patients represent small portion of referrals but generate significant workload

About 75% of referrals result in an imaging exam, while only 1% lead to a cancer diagnosis, experts reported in Clinical Radiology.  

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‘Wake-up call’: Providers log substantially fewer breast biopsies with cancer diagnoses

The declines were more pronounced among Asian, Hispanic and Black women, imaging experts wrote in Radiology. 

Chirag Pargh

Private equity-backed breast imaging giant names new CMO after leader departs for AI firm

Radiologist Chirag Parghi, MD, slid into the role in May following stints as interim CMO and director of breast imaging across several Houston-area locations. 

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Personalized breast cancer risk assessments at primary care up patients’ odds of mammography use

Annual mammography rates among women at high risk were significantly higher after the intervention, according to a new JAMA Network Open analysis. 

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Radiologists pilot immediate mammography reading, same-day recalls to boost breast cancer outcomes

Mass General physicians believe this practice is sustainable, resulting in less time spent on scheduling, reduced room cleaning, and lowering the chance of errors.

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Fertility treatment an opportune time to screen women in their 40s for breast cancer

Marrying mammography and the use of assisted reproductive technology appears feasible, particularly as birth rates rise among this age group, experts say. 

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 all-in-one Omni Legend PET/CT scanner is now being manufactured in a new production facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

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