Stereoscopic Digital Mammography Display Reduces False-Positive Breast Cancer Findings

A prototype diagnostic workstation incorporating groundbreaking new technology has been shown to dramatically reduce false-positive breast cancer findings by 49% and false-negative results by 40% compared to standard digital mammography in a clinical trial.

The study was conducted at Emory University's Breast Imaging Center (Atlanta, GA, USA). The study's results, using the stereoscopic three-dimensional (3D) digital workstation, developed by Planar Systems, Inc. (Beaverton, OR, USA), a developer of specialty display systems, and BBN Technologies (Cambridge, MA, USA), among a population of 1,093 patients was the topic of a presentation at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) conference in Chicago, IL, USA, on November 27, 2007.

"With stereo mammography, we are observing dramatic reductions in false-positive and false-negative reports,” said David J. Getty, Ph.D., division scientist at BBN Technologies. "In the current clinical trial at Emory University, the mammographers are reading the stereo mammograms on a Planar StereoMirror display, which is by far the very best high-resolution stereo display system available today.”

In traditional 2D mammographic imaging, subtle lesions that might be cancerous can be hidden by underlying or overlying normal tissue and, thus, be missed. In addition, normal tissue scattered at different depths can align to mimic a lesion, leading to a false-positive finding. In the study, Planar's StereoMirror display provided radiologists with a less ambiguous view of the breast's internal structure to enable diagnoses with higher confidence.

"Planar is committed to the continual advancement of medical display solutions, and we're honored to participate in this study with Emory University's Breast Imaging Center,” said Doug Barnes, vice president of the medical business unit, Planar Systems. "StereoMirror technology is an innovative 3D display solution that will have great impact on diagnostic imaging, and we are fortunate to collaborate with others in the healthcare field to bring solutions that will ultimately improve the accuracy of breast cancer screening.”

Stereo digital mammograms, viewed on a 5-megapixel workstation using Planar's StereoMirror technology, showed dramatic improvement in the accuracy of lesion detection, potentially delivering large gains in the cost-effectiveness of breast cancer screening. This technology could lead to earlier cancer detection with improved visual sensitivity, which increases the likelihood of administering a successful patient treatment. Through accurate readings, healthcare providers can both reduce the emotional trauma of unnecessary diagnostic work, as well as the associated financial impact of additional procedures.

In addition to the 17-inch and 20-inch versions of the StereoMirror stereoscopic/3D displays currently available, Planar is releasing the Planar SD2420W and SD2620W with larger wide-screen StereoMirror formats. The SD2620W is the largest and highest resolution, commercially available liquid crystal display- (LCD)-stereoscopic monitor currently available, and both products provide excellent stereoscopic viewing to provide high levels of comfort and accuracy for imaging.


Related Links:
Emory University's Breast Imaging Center
Planar Systems
BBN Technologies