First 3D Ultrasound System Developed for Breast Imaging

One of the newest technologies in breast imaging--a fully automated three-dimensional (3D) breast ultrasound system--is now in use at a U.S. medical institution.

Breast ultrasound is a noninvasive procedure that uses sound waves to generate an image of the tissues inside the breast. It has conventionally been used following mammography in the targeted assessment of a possible abnormality found at screening or on physical examination. Because of recently reported studies, breast cancer screening utilizing ultrasound for high-risk women is beginning to gain more widespread acceptance.

Dr. Phil Evans, professor of radiology and director of the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center for Breast Care, reported that there are benefits to adding automated 3D breast ultrasound to the range of screening methods available to detect breast cancer in high-risk women, particularly those with a strong family history and dense breast tissue on mammography.

The key advantage is that multiple images of breast tissue can be reviewed on a 3D workstation. Data can be captured in three dimensions as opposed to a flat image, and physicians can review images from any angle, revealing areas that previously might have remained unseen. They also can review multiple views simultaneously, according to Dr. Evans. With traditional ultrasound, a technologist or physician performs the scan by hand by moving a wand-like transducer over the surface of the breast, which directs the high-frequency sound waves to the breast tissue.

The problem with human administration, according to Dr. Evans, is that no two individuals perform a breast ultrasound exactly in the same way, every time; so there can be wide variability in results. "With this automated ultrasound system, the parameters are preset, and each breast is examined in a systemic manner,” he said.

For an automated ultrasound, the patient lies on an exam table and the technologist attaches a cuplike membrane to the scanner to hold the patient's breast in place. The scanner is then placed on the breast and the technologist presses a button to begin the preview scan. This initial scan, which determines the density of the breast to set the appropriate imaging parameters, is immediately followed by the actual image acquisition scan, in which 400 to 500 images of each breast are obtained.

The scan itself lasts about 60 seconds, and Dr. Evans emphasized, "there's no compression” as with a traditional breast X-ray, or mammogram. The entire procedure takes about 15 minutes. Once the 3D ultrasound is complete, the digital data are sent to an independent computer workstation where a radiologist trained in breast imaging can assess each image and look for a possible abnormality. The radiologist also can do a virtual rescan, providing even more data to determine the need for a patient to be called back for additional testing. The data can be reviewed immediately or retrieved later.

Dr. Evans said ultrasound is more comfortable than mammography, but mammography should not be eliminated. He said high-risk individuals could alternate between ultrasound and mammography every six months. "This is in no way meant to replace mammography,” Dr. Evans said. "It's purely an additional tool for women who are high-risk, but their risk is not high enough for magnetic resonance imaging [MRI].”


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