We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
GLOBETECH PUBLISHING LLC

Download Mobile App




AI Accurately Identifies Breast Cancer Using Low-Cost Portable Ultrasound Machines

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 04 May 2023
Print article
Image: AI can be helpful in triaging breast masses in low-resource areas (Photo courtesy of Freepik)
Image: AI can be helpful in triaging breast masses in low-resource areas (Photo courtesy of Freepik)

Breast lumps are often discovered unintentionally during breast self-exams or medical professional examinations. Breast cancer screening can detect cancers before a lump becomes palpable. While cancer screening is emphasized in Western countries, low- and middle-income countries frequently lack access to organized screening programs and technology. In these countries, breast cancer is typically identified as a palpable lump. Ultrasound can significantly contribute to early detection, leading to more effective, less invasive treatments and improved outcomes. A new study has discovered that artificial intelligence (AI) can analyze breast mass images from low-cost portable ultrasound machines and accurately identify cancer, which could be beneficial for triage in resource-limited settings.

In a multicenter study, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (Pittsburgh, PA, USA) enrolled participants with at least one palpable breast lump. Portable ultrasound machines were used to obtain images of the lump site and adjacent tissue, followed by standard-of-care ultrasound imaging. A radiologist performed Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) assessments. After exclusions, the AI software analyzed 758 masses in 300 women (average age 50.0 years) as benign, probably benign, suspicious, or malignant (cancerous). The average age of the participants ranged from 18 to 92 years, and the mean largest lesion diameter was 13 mm (range 2-54). Out of 758 masses, 360 (47.5%) were palpable, and 56 (7.4%) were malignant.

AI accurately identified 96% and 98% of women with cancer using low-cost portable ultrasound and standard-of-care ultrasound images, respectively. For benign masses, 67% could have been appropriately triaged with standard-of-care ultrasound, and 38% with portable ultrasound. Although specificity was lower than with standard-of-care equipment, AI applied to portable breast ultrasound has the potential to reduce specialized hospital referrals by approximately half in resource-limited areas. It is important to note that the researchers did not train AI on images from the portable ultrasound. Moreover, low-cost portable ultrasound technology has advanced since the study was conducted. The researchers anticipate even better results in the future with improved images and AI training.

“Our results show great promise for the use of AI and portable ultrasound in low-resource settings, including remote/underserved areas in the United States, to help improve breast health care,” said the study’s lead author Wendie A. Berg, M.D., Ph.D., professor of radiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. “In reducing the number of women with benign lumps who need to be seen in central facilities and potentially have a biopsy, health care resources can be better focused on women with cancer and reduce delays in diagnosis. This should improve access, health equity and outcomes for women.”

Related Links:
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

New
Gold Member
X-Ray QA Meter
T3 AD Pro
LED-Based X-Ray Viewer
Dixion X-View
New
Opaque X-Ray Mobile Lead Barrier
2594M
New
Ultrasound Imaging System
P12 Elite

Print article
Radcal

Channels

Radiography

view channel
Image: The CT scanner prototype eliminates the need for physical compression of the breast (Photo courtesy of Quion Lowe and Lisa Dahm/U of A Cancer Center)

Novel Breast Cancer Screening Technology Could Offer Superior Alternative to Mammogram

Breast cancer represents 15.5% of new cancer cases and 7% of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Approximately 13.1% of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.... Read more

Nuclear Medicine

view channel
Image: PET scans of a glioblastoma patient\'s brain, 72 hours after injection with the radiotracer (Photo courtesy of Dr Gabriela Kramer-Marek, The Institute of Cancer Research, London)

New Immuno-PET Imaging Technique Identifies Glioblastoma Patients Who Would Benefit from Immunotherapy

Glioblastoma is a type of brain tumor associated with a very poor prognosis, with average survival rates of 12 to 18 months and only 5% of patients surviving beyond five years. Research has shown that... Read more

General/Advanced Imaging

view channel
Image: Heavy smokers can ben Image (2):	efit from lung cancer screening using low-dose CT (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Low-Dose CT Screening for Lung Cancer Can Benefit Heavy Smokers

Lung cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage, with only about one-fifth to one-sixth of patients surviving five years after diagnosis. A new report now suggests that low-dose computed tomography (CT)... Read more

Imaging IT

view channel
Image: The new Medical Imaging Suite makes healthcare imaging data more accessible, interoperable and useful (Photo courtesy of Google Cloud)

New Google Cloud Medical Imaging Suite Makes Imaging Healthcare Data More Accessible

Medical imaging is a critical tool used to diagnose patients, and there are billions of medical images scanned globally each year. Imaging data accounts for about 90% of all healthcare data1 and, until... Read more

Industry News

view channel
Image: The advocacy partnership aims to help accelerate access to life-saving treatments (Photo courtesy of Philips)

Philips and Medtronic Partner on Stroke Care

A stroke is typically an acute incident primarily caused by a blockage in a brain blood vessel, which disrupts the adequate blood supply to brain tissue and results in the permanent loss of brain cells.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.