Logo image
Back
The role of digital breast tomosynthesis in the breast assessment clinic: a review
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

The role of digital breast tomosynthesis in the breast assessment clinic: a review

Suneeta Mall, Sarah Lewis, Patrick Brennan, Jennie Noakes and Claudia Mello‐Thoms
Journal of medical radiation sciences, Vol.64(3), pp.203-211
09/2017
DOI: 10.1002/jmrs.230
PMCID: PMC5587657
PMID: 28374502
url
https://doi.org/10.1002/jmrs.230View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Mammography has long been considered as the primary technique in breast cancer detection and assessment. Despite low specificity, mammography has been preferred over other contemporary techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US) due to superior sensitivity and significant health economic benefits. The development of a new technique, a limited angle cone beam pseudo‐three‐dimensional tomosynthesis, digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), has gained momentum. Several preliminary studies and ongoing trials are showing evidence of the benefits of DBT in improving lesion visibility, accuracy of cancer detection and observer performance. This raises the possibility of adoption of DBT in the breast cancer assessment clinic, wherein confirming or dismissing the presence of malignancy (at the potential site identified during screening) is of utmost importance. Identification of suspected malignancy in terms of lesion characteristics and location is also essential in assessment. In this literature review, we evaluate the role of DBT for use in breast cancer assessment and its future in biopsy. Mammography has long been considered as the primary technique in breast cancer detection and assessment. Despite low specificity, mammography has been preferred over other contemporary techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US) due to superior sensitivity and significant health economic benefits in a screening setting. In the last decade, the development of a new technique, a limited angle cone beam pseudo‐three‐dimensional tomosynthesis, known as digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), has gained momentum. The pseudo‐three‐dimensional nature of DBT is currently being investigated for advances in lesion visibility, sensitivity, specificity, recall rates and observer performance. Several preliminary studies and ongoing trials are showing evidence of the benefits of DBT over mammography for screening. This raises the possibility of adoption of DBT in breast cancer assessment. In this article we focus on the role of DBT for use in breast cancer assessment (also known as diagnostic workup) and its future as a biopsy imaging modality.
 biopsy digital breast tomosynthesis breast cancer diagnosis Assessment DBT

Details

Metrics

24 Record Views
10 Times Cited - Web of Science
Logo image