Siemens Healthcare unveiled a breast ultrasound system at RSNA 2008 whose automated exams could help women’s health practitioners achieve the potential of ultrasound as a complement to mammography.

Siemens underscored its commitment to women’s health with its introduction at RSNA 2008 of Espree Pink, a 1.5T scanner dedicated to breast imaging.

An add-on digital stereotaxy option for GE’s Senographe Essential lets users perform biopsies on its full-field digital mammography system, sparing institutions the expense of setting up a dedicated biopsy room, according to the company.

Out of every 10 women whose mammogram or physical exam reveals potentially cancerous cells in their breasts, approximately three of them will have additional dangerous clusters the examinations missed, according to a recent study presented at the RSNA conference Wednesday.

Breast-specific gamma imaging demonstrates better specificity and sensitivity than mammography, ultrasound, and MRI, according to several studies presented at the RSNA meeting.

Automated breast ultrasound should not replace handheld ultrasound in a diagnostic breast center but rather should be used in conjunction with it or play a role in screening breast ultrasound, according to a study presented at the 2008 RSNA meeting.

While radiologists herald breast tomosynthesis as the hope for the future of breast imaging, several barriers hinder its widespread use. Its very ability to detect benign lesions dilutes the value of such detection, according to a keynote speech at the RSNA meeting.

Extending its reach in applications for MR in women’s health, Toshiba unveiled at RSNA 2008 its Radiance Plus Breast Imaging Suite for use on the company’s two 1.5T scanners, the Vantage Atlas and Vantage Titan.

As the mammography community embraces digital mammography, newly converted sites must overcome the challenge of comparing new images with old. PACSGEAR introduced at RSNA 2008 its solution to the problem.