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).

Architectural distortion seen in the breast of a 67-year-old woman who presented for screening mammography. Surgical pathology revealed invasive ductal adenocarcinoma. Image from AJR

When does worrisome architectural distortion signal malignancy on mammography?

Architectural distortion, the non-mass but potentially ominous clinical feature observed in many breast imaging procedures, is less likely to signal malignancy when it’s detected on screening mammography rather than diagnostic mammography or when it does not correlate with a subsequent targeted ultrasound exam.

Seno Medical Instruments Completes Final Phase of U.S. Pivotal PIONEER Study of Imagio® Breast Imaging System

Seno Medical Instruments, Inc. (Seno), the company pioneering the development of opto-acoustic technology as a new tool to improve the process of diagnosing breast cancer, announced today it has completed the final phase of the company's U.S.-based PIONEER Pivotal Study of the Imagio® breast imaging system. 

FUJIFILM submits first PMA module for digital breast tomosynthesis

FUJIFILM Medical Systems U.S.A., Inc., a leading provider of diagnostic imaging solutions, has submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the first module of its premarket approval (PMA) application for digital breast tomosynthesis* (DBT), as an optional upgrade for the Aspire Cristalle mammography system.

FUJIFILM submits first PMA module for digital breast tomosynthesis

FUJIFILM Medical Systems U.S.A., Inc., a leading provider of diagnostic imaging solutions, has submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the first module of its premarket approval (PMA) application for digital breast tomosynthesis* (DBT), as an optional upgrade for the Aspire Cristalle mammography system.

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Mikulski counters USPSTF draft recommendations in letter to Burwell

Senator Barbara Mikulski, D-MD, responded to the latest United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) draft breast screening recommendations by sending a letter to HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell, calling for the continued availability of free annual mammograms for women ages 40 and older.

Radiologist reading breast imaging, mammography, exams on a PACS system.

USPSTF disappoints on mammography guidance, ACR and SBI respond

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) announced its newest draft breast cancer screening recommendations Monday, once again sparking controversy by recommending biennial mammograms for women ages 50 to 74 and giving them a “B” grade.

Example of a mammogram showing X-ray images of both the right and left breast and patches of dense breast tissue.

ACR, SBI tee off Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Screening guidelines and technology tools were up for discussion Sept. 29, when ACR teamed with the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) to tee up the Oct. 1 start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

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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