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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MRI radiomics could change the future of breast cancer treatment

Radiomics methodologies could change how care plans are managed for patients with breast cancer by identifying those most likely to benefit from specific treatments.

Tattoo ink can mimic breast cancer on mammography exams

"As the prevalence of females with tattoos increases, tattoo pigment needs to be considered as a potential differential diagnosis of breast calcification,” experts involved in the research suggested.

An example of commercially available artificial intelligence (AI) automated grading of breast density on mammograms from the vendor Densitas..

VIDEO: Role of AI in breast imaging with radiomics, detection of breast density and lesions

Connie Lehman, MD, chief of breast imaging, co-director of the Avon Comprehensive Breast Evaluation Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) is being implemented in breast imaging.

Example of a cancer that is difficult to see in dense breast tissue, but can be seen easier using 3D mammography digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) breast imaging because the radiologist can go through the breast layer by layer if tissue..

VIDEO: The rapid adoption of 3D mammography and use of AI to address dense breasts

Stamatia Destounis, MD, a radiologist and managing partner at Elizabeth Wende Breast Care in Rochester, New York, chair of the American College of Radiology (ACR) Breast Commission, explains the rapid adoption of 3D mammogram digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) technology.
 

Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) President John Lewin, MD, explains some of new initiatives and technology in mammography to increase earlier breast cancer detection. #SBI #breastimaging #mammography

VIDEO: SBI president outlines trends in breast imaging

Society of Breast Imaging President John Lewin, MD, explains some of the new initiatives and technology in mammography that are designed to increase early breast cancer detection.

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Is laughter the best medicine? Why patients view a sense of humor as an admirable trait in radiologists

In a new study, patients who were subject to a "humorous" intervention reported feeling less anxious during their exam and more receptive to discussions with a radiologist.

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'Economically unsustainable': How Medicare reimbursements hinder adoption of latest mammo technology

“Current reimbursement contributes to inequity because locating new technology in facilities that serve patients with public insurance, Medicare and Medicaid, is not economically sustainable," authors of a new paper in Radiology suggested.

Interview with Stamatia Destounis, MD, FACR, a radiologist and managing partner at Elizabeth Wende Breast Care in Rochester, New York, chair of the American College of Radiology (ACR) Breast Commission, serves on the Public Information Advisors Committee for Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and on the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) Communication Committee. She discusses post-COVID economic issues facing breast imaging centers, including the "great resignation" and lower reimbursements.

VIDEO: Issues with the great resignation and lower reimbursements in breast imaging

Stamatia Destounis, MD, FACR, a radiologist and managing partner at Elizabeth Wende Breast Care in Rochester, New York, and chair of the ACR Breast Commission, discusses post-COVID-19 economic issues facing breast imaging centers, including staffing problems from the "Great Resignation" and lower reimbursements. 

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