3-D Mammography is now available at Northeast Radiology!
You are probably already familiar with a traditional digital mammogram, which takes images of the breast in two dimensions to detect breast abnormalities. This new technology means that rather than viewing the breast tissue in just 2-D images, our radiologists can examine the tissue one layer at a time, in a sense traveling through the breast like flipping pages of a book. Details are more visible and are less likely to be hidden by overlapping tissue.
Digital Breast Tomosynthesis, also known as 3-D Mammography, is a screening and diagnostic breast imaging tool to improve the early detection of breast cancer. During a 3-D mammogram, the mammography machine pivots over the breast, taking many images in just a few seconds. Images are displayed as a series of slices that can be viewed by our radiologists individually or in dynamic interactive animation. The 3-D information is also used to create a 2-D mammogram that the radiologist reviews in combination with the 3-D mammogram.
Many studies have shown improved breast cancer detection rates when combining 3-D Mammography with conventional 2-D Mammography. Studies have demonstrated up to a 40% increase in overall breast cancer detection (over 2-D imaging alone). The ability to detect breast cancer at an earlier stage will save more lives. The top benefits are improving the early detection of breast cancer and providing peace of mind due to greater clarity and accuracy. Increased accuracy reduces the number of patients who are “called-back” for further imaging, sparing patients the anxiety, inconvenience and expense of returning for more images.
The radiation dose for a combined 2-D/3-D Mammography is approximately the same as for a standard 2-D mammogram and is well below the acceptable limits defined by the FDA.