"Breast tomosynthesis may be one of the first techniques that can actually replace conventional 2D mammography," said Joseph Lo, Ph.D., assistant research professor of Radiology, Duke Advanced Imaging Laboratories, Duke University Medical Center. "While mammography is sensitive at finding cancer, it sometimes results in false positives -- leading to workflow issues for the clinician and unnecessary strain on the patient. The goal of our studies is to reduce these false positives by providing 3D information at the same high resolution and reasonable dose as mammography, while also improving patient comfort."
Featuring a large field-of-view enabled by a large area detector, the prototype system is designed to be suitable for nearly all breast sizes. It has the potential to provide high sensitivity and specificity, which could allow radiologists to detect and characterize suspicious lesions more precisely. With low-dose 3D mammography, it may eliminate normal tissue overlap, which might otherwise obscure lesions. Additionally, enhanced visibility to view masses may be made possible with high contrast resolution.

"If digital breast tomosynthesis fulfills its promise of providing the unusual combination of greater sensitivity coupled with greater specificity and improved patient comfort, it may rapidly replace routine 2D mammography in the screening setting," said Jay Baker, M.D., chief, Division of Breast Imaging, Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center. "While careful clinical trials are required to confirm the potential advantages of tomosynthesis, initial testing has been encouraging and tomosynthesis images have demonstrated extraordinary anatomic clarity."
Ongoing studies are underway in an effort to improve upon the existing prototype and to optimize radiographic techniques to produce superb image quality with reduced dose. Researchers are also exploring a new acquisition and viewing workstation based on Siemens' syngo platform with the intent to enhance image processing and workflow. Preliminary clinical trials are planned to begin in the coming months.

* Note: The information about this product is preliminary. The product is under development and is not commercially available in the U.S. and its future availability cannot be ensured.
Photo notes: Siemens' digital prototype breast tomosynthesis system is being investigated in preliminary clinical trials for the detection of subtle mass lesions often undetectable by conventional mammography. The following images illustrate how this new solution could allow radiologists to detect and characterize these lesions more precisely.

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