Contrast mammography in the MCSC
NewsContrast – enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) is a breast imaging technique that combines the advantages of classical mammography and breast MRI. Its special feature is the intravenous administration of an iodine-containing contrast agent, which allows you to detect areas of increased blood flow. For example, tumor tissue, especially malignant, is characterized by an active blood supply.
Due to the high sensitivity and specificity, specialists use CESM as a clarifying technique in the following cases:
- discrepancy between clinical signs, mammography and ultrasound picture
- before starting treatment for lobular breast cancer
- exclusion of multicentric / multifocal breast cancer growth
- evaluation of the effect of neoadjuvant treatment of breast cancer
- diagnosis of recurrent breast cancer
This method is based on obtaining two series of images:
- post-contrast on low-energy mode
- series on high-energy mode
This allows you to get images similar to classical mammography, and recombinant images to assess suspicious areas. In recombinant images, the signal from breast tissues is" suppressed " and amplified from areas of increased accumulation of contrast matter. In comparison with classical mammography, the dose load is only 42% higher, which does not exceed the recommended values.
Thus, with contrast mammography, only areas of increased accumulation of contrast matter are visualized.
How is this done?
- the procedure usually takes no more than 30 minutes
- before the examination, the doctor installs an intravenous catheter and injects an iodine-containing contrast agent. The patient can feel the heat, this is a normal reaction to the contrast
- after a short period of time, mammography is performed
- at the end of the procedure, the catheter is removed and the injection site is treated
Adverse reactions to modern iodine-containing contrast agents are extremely rare. However, doctors recommend reporting previously experienced acute allergic reactions to iodine-containing contrast agents, for example, during CT and MR studies, as well as passing a blood test for creatinine.
