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).

High resolution DBT exams enhance early cancer detection
Recent advances in imaging technology have built on the momentum DBT utilization has created for early diagnoses.
Symptom-detected breast cancers more likely to require mastectomy, chemotherapy
New research adds to the “strong evidence” supporting screening guidelines and highlights the importance of women adhering to clinical recommendations.
Contrast-enhanced mammography significantly improves early cancer detection
New trial results suggest CEM could enhance breast cancer detection beyond DBT exams when patients are faced with barriers to obtaining an MRI.
AI-directed scan protocols cut back on unnecessary MRI sequences
Artificial intelligence could serve as an effective tool for determining which patients may need additional breast MRI sequences mid-protocol.
Symptom-detected breast cancers nearly 7 times more likely to be diagnosed at advanced stage
Advances in treatment are often credited with improving breast cancer outcomes, but new findings suggest the decrease in mortality may actually be due to improved screening initiatives.

Hologic sees drop in sales and tariff impact on stock price

The vendor's latest earnings report outlines a nearly $35 million decline in mammography sales and projected ramifications from new tariffs.

Chipiron Evan Kervella and Dimitri Labat

Startup seeking to make MRI ‘10 times less expensive’ raises $17M

Paris, France-based Chipiron will use the Series A financing to build a prototype of its portable machine, hoping to launch clinical trials in 2026.

Congress Money washington DC legislation coverage payment

Bipartisan bill would require insurers to cover supplemental breast imaging nationwide

UPDATED: The Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act aims to eliminate a financial barrier to imaging access, patient advocates say.

Most popular radiology video interviews on Health Imaging. The evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in breast imaging was a big topic at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2024 meeting. Health Imaging spoke with Manisha Bahl, MD, breast imaging division quality director and breast imaging division co-service chief at Massachusetts General Hospital and an associate professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, at the conference to hear more about her breast AI sessions.

Radiology has seen a lot of large language model and generative AI research and adoption and it is clearly a hot button topic with our No. 1 video.

Breast arterial calcifications (BACs) identified on screening mammograms may help identify women who face a heightened risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a new analysis published in Clinical Imaging.

Opportunistic screening: AI highlights key heart findings in mammography images

Breast artery calcifications are already visible when radiologists review mammograms, but nothing typically happens with them. Researchers aimed to see if AI could help translate those findings into an easy-to-understand cardiovascular risk score.

Manisha Bahl, MD, breast imaging division quality director and breast imaging division co-service chief, Massachusetts General Hospital, and an associate professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the findings of a recent study she was involved in at RSNA 2024. She also offers insights into growing interest at sessions in using AI in breast imaging.

What radiologists think about using ChatGPT and AI in breast imaging

Manisha Bahl, MD, explained that ChatGPT and other large language models offer significant potential to help radiologists with breast imaging exams, but they are "not quite ready for primetime."

FCI scanner more ably detects cancer spread than traditional MRI

New low-field scanner detects cancer spread better than traditional breast MRI

Researchers involved in its development are hopeful that the scanner could eventually lead to improved outcomes in cancer patients who require surgery to remove malignant tissue.

CDI technique makes breast cancer glow on imaging.

MRI technique makes breast cancer 'glow' on imaging

The technique highlights differences in how water molecules move through cancerous tissue in comparison to healthy tissue.

Breast Imaging

High resolution DBT exams enhance early cancer detection

Symptom-detected breast cancers more likely to require mastectomy, chemotherapy

Contrast-enhanced mammography significantly improves early cancer detection

AI-directed scan protocols cut back on unnecessary MRI sequences

Symptom-detected breast cancers nearly 7 times more likely to be diagnosed at advanced stage