New technology for measuring breast density

Radiologists usually rely on ACR’s BI-RADS and their own interpretations to determine breast density, but that’s starting to change, now that companies are offering solutions to automatically measure it.


Volpara Solutions launched their new VolparaDensity Version 3.0 at the meeting, which is the first breast density assessment tool clinically available for use with tomosynthesis. It currently can be used with Hologic’s tomosynthesis system and in early 2015, it will be available for use with GE Healthcare’s and Siemens Healthcare’s tomosynthesis systems.

VuCOMP was also showcasing their breast density assessment tool called M-Vu Breast Density Version 2.0. Hologic’s Quantra breast density software and Philips Healthcare’s Spectral Breast Density Measurement tool were also displayed at the meeting.

Mammography is not always enough

Many companies are learning that mammography alone is not always enough for every patient, especially those with dense breasts or a family history of breast cancer. Siemens Healthcare started a campaign called Look Closer to create awareness around all of the different solutions they offer for breast imaging including their ACUSON S2000 automated whole breast ultrasound system.

In order to bring all of the different imaging tools together into one workstation, Siemens unveiled their syngo.Breast Care viewing system for mammography, tomosynthesis, breast ultrasound and breast MR. The software fits into their larger syngo.via viewing platform and will be commercially available within the next few months.

Shear wave elastography for liver and breast

Some vendors are starting to take their focus off of strain elastography and home in on shear wave elastography. Shear wave uses acoustic energy from the ultrasound transducer to instantly generate a quantifiable measurement of breast and liver tissue stiffness. Strain requires the physicians to manually palpate a patient to identify the stiff tissue.

GE Healthcare unveiled their Shear Wave elastography software enhancement for their LOGIQ E9 ultrasound system at the meeting. Toshiba’s new Aplio 300 and 500 Platinum series ultrasounds with shear wave were also unveiled.

Supersonic Imagine’s Aixplorer ultrasound system with shear wave was introduced to the market in 2009 and they claim that what makes them unique is that their system color-codes the stiffness.

Shift to solutions rather than equipment

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