The results keep pouring in about the advantages of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT). One of the more recent comes from a study published in JAMA Network Open, which says DBT is especially valuable for patients undergoing their first screening.
Taking into account 1.6 million exams that occurred through many screening facilities throughout the U.S., the study found that there were improved outcomes for those undertaking their first breast exam. According to the study, part of the advantage with DBT is that cancer detection and recall rates were better than what is experienced with traditional mammography. This includes women of all ages and fibroglandular density.
The only area where DBT didn’t show a significant improvement was for women with extremely dense breast tissue.
DBT Evolution
It’s been a decade since DBT hit the market. The technology built to improve upon conventional 2-D imaging is now in more than half of all certified facilities in the U.S. Widely considered the gold standard by radiologists, DBT was able, for the first time, to get radiologists past the problem that conventional radiology had on overlapping tissues, which would obscure lesions.
And in that decade since it hit the market, DBT has evolved within the medical community. For example, it’s now entirely covered by Medicare. Some states have also passed laws that ensure it is covered. Now, more than 85% of women have access to DBT.
Keeping Up
For facilities that still only offer traditional 2-D mammography, it’s clear they will be at a disadvantage, as will their patients who could benefit from having access to this technology. For rural providers that struggle to keep up with the latest technology, there are options, including vendors that offer cloud-based and hybrid services that can help this technology be affordable.
At OffSite Image Management, MAMMO is a viewing technology offered to clients who need access to advanced processing features, such as the following:
- Reference lines between MG and US
- Tomosynthesis cine + MIP creation
- Reference lines between MLO and CC images
- Mammography CAD support of virtually any vendor
We also offer implant blocker technology, which makes it easier for the eye to quickly adapt to the illuminance of the breast tissue. Semantic interoperability, CAD, measurements and annotations, and hanging protocols for the automatic on-screen hanging of up to four displays are also part of what we offer.
For more information about MAMMO, check out our solution, bringing the best technology to your facility.