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.

Breast MRI screening cuts cancer mortality rates in half for women with lesser-known gene mutations

Women with ATM, CHEK2 and PALB2 gene mutations would benefit from beginning MRI screenings earlier than previously recommended, experts reported in JAMA Oncology.

Women do not need to delay their mammogram appointment after COVID-19 vaccination

That's according to the largest study to date on axillary lymphadenopathy after COVID-19 vaccination, published in RSNA's flagship journal, Radiology.

New research can help radiologists manage architectural distortion identified via DBT exams

After surgical excision, 10.2% of the architectural distortion cases with nonmalignant pathology at biopsy were upgraded to malignant, researchers reported in the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Survey unearths significant variation in practice patterns for localizing breast lesions

Barriers to more widespread use of certain novel devices and modalities may be related to cost and lack of expertise, experts wrote Tuesday.

Quality improvements reduce biopsy wait times for patients with suspicious breast MRIs

The initiative led to a 30% increase in the number of patients who required fewer visits before receiving a diagnosis, University of Michigan Health System researchers reported.

Simple switches help hospital reduce excess patient visits, biopsy wait times after breast MRI

Michigan Medicine had seen breast MRI volumes climb 94% while related biopsies leapt 150%, prompting leaders to launch their quality initiative.

Abbreviated MRI outperforms DBT for detecting secondary breast cancer

“Our study results suggest that AB-MRI could potentially be sufficient for post-treatment surveillance,” experts suggested Thursday in Academic Radiology.

breast radiologist breast cancer mammography

Fatigue impacts inexperienced breast radiologists’ performance, underlining importance of regular breaks

Physicians with five or fewer years of experience are more likely to order additional imaging when reading DBT exams later in the day.

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