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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An RSNA attendee undergoes an MRI brain scan on the expo floor using the Hyperfine Swoop head MRI system. It is self-shields with a low field 0.064 T. It uses a standard wall power outlet and can be wheeled through a standard 34-inch wide door frame. It weighs 1,400 pounds. Imaging sequences include T1, T2, FLAIR, and DWI (with ADC map) and its operational controls are all directed on an iPad interface. #RSNA #RSNA22

FDA clears new artificial intelligence capabilities for portable MRI scanner

This is the eighth clearance in the past three years for Hyperfine's Swoop system, company officials said Monday. 

breast radiologist breast cancer mammography

Survey says most women skip their recommended mammogram

Women cite a lack of time as the primary reason for not scheduling a mammogram, according to a survey from one large health system.

How MRI “fingerprinting” could help personalize breast cancer treatment

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University are commissioning a study to determine if a novel MRI technique can predict the effectiveness of chemotherapy in treating breast cancer.

breast cancer mammography mammogram

AI proves a qualified second reader for screening mammography

According to one radiologist, the continued success of AI could make second reads for screening mammograms a thing of the past. 

 background parenchyma enhancement breast MRI

MRI finding linked to heightened cancer risk among women with very dense breasts

A new AI model helped researchers identify a relationship between background parenchyma enhancement on breast MRI exams and breast cancer risk.

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Deep learning detects precancerous changes on mammograms

What’s more, the model proved beneficial in a large, diverse cohort that included women with benign breast disease and BRCA mutations.

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Some radiologists' stress lowered during COVID, but it was short lived

Breast radiologists are known to have higher rates of burnout in comparison to many of their peers, but the beginning of the pandemic brought this group something not often encountered within the specialty—downtime. 

mammogram mammography breast cancer

Women strongly prefer contrast-enhanced mammography over breast MRI for supplemental screening

The findings were reached using an analytic hierarchy process, which can help physicians review options with patients who have never experienced either exam.

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