3D mammography: tomosynthesis

News 09/30/2020

Digital mammography is an X-ray method used both for the initial examination of the breast and for the diagnosis of pathological changes in it. It is a summation image of the entire thickness of the organ, represented by a single image in two projections.

The result of digital mammography is not always sufficient for a full and unambiguous interpretation in individual clinical cases. Especially in patients of reproductive age.

Today, 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) is successfully used to improve the visualization of changes in breast tissue, especially with a dense X-ray background. It complements digital mammography.

Tomosynthesis is an X-ray method of examination, in which a series of images is performed with the passage of the entire thickness of the breast in steps of 1 mm or 5 mm. As a result, from 30 to 80 images are formed.

During the study, the X-ray tube of the device rotates around the breast in an arc. She performs a series of X-rays at different angles. At the end of the shooting, all images are processed by the program and show a three-dimensional image of the breast tissue on the screen. This method has a low radiation load and is not harmful to the patient's health.  

3D mammography (tomosynthesis) allows you to:

• distinguish areas formed by the superposition of anatomical structures from apparent nodal formations;
• avoid false positive and false negative judgments about the presence of changes in the background of pronounced glandular tissue;
• to examine the areas of scars that are suspected of relapsing tumor formations;
• reduce the number of sighting shots and cases of short (3-6 months) dynamic monitoring, thereby reducing the overall radiation load on the patient;
• reduce the need to use other methods of radiation diagnostics;
• reduce the number of diagnostic puncture biopsies;
• reduce the pressure on the mammary gland during the study, which makes it more comfortable for the patient.

Thus, tomosynthesis is a modern high-tech method for diagnosing breast diseases, which has undeniable advantages over standard diagnostic methods.

 

 

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