Every Day

August - December 2007 Issue

Comparing Breast Imaging Technology

Digital Mammography
Both digital and film mammography use X-rays to produce an image of the breast. With film mammography, the image is created directly on a film. Digital mammography takes an electronic image of the breast and stores it in a computer. The image can also be transmitted electronically. Radiologists can use software to help interpret the digital mammogram.

The Digital Mammography Screening Trial (DMIST), begun in October 2001 with more than 49,000 women, was performed to measure differences in diagnostic accuracy between digital and film mammography. For the entire population of women studied, DMIST showed that film and digital mammography had very similar screening accuracy. Digital mammography was significantly better for screening women in three categories:

Under age 50 (no matter what level of breast tissue density they had)
Of any age with very dense or extremely dense breasts
Pre- or perimenopausal women of any age

Breast Ultrasound
A breast ultrasound uses sound waves to image the breast. It is usually performed as a follow-up test for an abnormality seen on a mammogram and is also used to image lumps found on a clinical exam. Breast ultrasound can help determine the need for a biopsy.

Breast ultrasound is not currently recommended for breast cancer screening in the general population. At this time, there is an ongoing clinical study under the auspices of the American College of Radiology evaluating the value of screening breast ultrasound in women with dense breasts.

Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Indications for breast MRI include:

Pre-operative evaluation of tumor extent in the affected breast and detection of occult (hidden) tumor in the opposite breast in women with a known diagnosis of breast cancer
Assessment of response to pre-operative chemotherapy in women with breast cancer
Post-operative assessment of residual/recurrent tumor
Evaluation for rupture of silicone breast implants
Screening MRI for high-risk women who meet the American Cancer Society guidelines

Source: Every Day

Date: Aug - Dec 2007 Issue