Mammography

A computer-aided detection and localization system could fine-tune diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinomas with multislice CT, according to a study presented at the European Congress of Radiology in March.

A planned population-based breast screening program in China looks likely to benefit vendors of computed radiography mammography solutions. Organizers of an ambitious project to screen one million Chinese women for breast disease are assessing available technologies with a view to increasing orders.

Statistics can be remarkable things. They can identify the benefit of current actions or point to new paths for the future. The statistics released last week by researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York exemplify the former. Statistics that could be garnered from the use of healthcare IT exemplify the latter.

Stentor merges with PhilipsOne month after Philips Medical Systems announced its intention to buy Stentor, the Dutch company has completed the acquisition. The merger will strengthen Philips’ position as a primary supplier of healthcare IT. Philips previously had depended on Swedish IT specialist Sectra for its PACS and workstation products (DI SCAN 7/18/05). In announcing the acquisition, Philips claimed record quarterly revenue for Stentor over the past three months, highlighting 14 new customer contracts, including a seven-year contract renewal from Henry Ford Health System.

Clinical acceptance of novel breast imaging techniques could hinge on concurrent development of appropriate computer-assisted detection packages, according to speakers at CARS.

I saw the article that you coauthored on the digital breast imaging forum at SCAR ("Breast imagers come out swinging against digital mammography vendors," diagnosticimaging.com/scar2005/, June 7, 2005. An expanded version appears in the SCAR Conference Reporter, this issue, page 54). I am very happy that you were there and interested in digital mammography. Also, I am pleased that you described the struggles we are having on the clinical side so accurately.

In a delicate dance between open discussion and sheer frustration, all players in the digital mammography arena, from users to vendors, wrangled over evolving technology issues during a marathon forum at the SCAR meeting. Among the points of contention was the speed at which the technology is achieving consistent image quality standards.

Performing community-based screening for breast cancer may have no clear effect on reducing the rate of fatalities attributed to the disease, according to a study published in the July 20 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Regarding "Breast tomosynthesis trials show promise" (May, page 42), I thought you might be interested in a brief history of the development of digital breast tomosynthesis.

Studies have failed to provide a slam dunk for digital mammography over traditional film x-rays, according to a recent technology assessment report from the ECRI group.

One of the pioneers of digital mammography, Fischer Imaging, is exiting the market. The company has signed a definitive agreement to sell Hologic the intellectual property and customer lists of its mammography business and products. The cash purchase price of $32 million includes the rights to Fisher’s SenoScan digital mammography and MammoTest stereotactic breast biopsy systems.

Despite the increasing availability of commercial computer-assisted detection packages for breast screening, the technology remains unproven in the screening setting, according to a leading U.K. breast radiologist. Prof. Fiona Gilbert, a professor of radiology at the University of Aberdeen, is calling for a Europe-wide randomized control trial to prove the case for CAD as a second reader.

A significant number of breast cancers missed by mammography in the last decade may have been misclassified as benign lesions by ultrasound in the first place, according to a study presented at the 2005 American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine meeting.

Few radiologists would disagree that computer-assisted detection in the colon has a long way to go before it is ready for routine clinical implementation. But once the remaining technical challenges have been overcome, advocates for CT colonography screening will have a far stronger case, speakers said Friday.

Despite the increasing availability of commercial computer-assisted detection packages for breast screening, the technology remains unproven in the screening setting, according to a leading U.K. breast radiologist. Prof. Fiona Gilbert, a professor of radiology at the University of Aberdeen, is calling for a Europe-wide randomized control trial to prove the case for CAD as a second reader

Clinical acceptance of novel breast imaging techniques could hinge on concurrent development of appropriate computer-assisted detection packages, according to speakers at CARS.

A series of presenters saluted the Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery conference Wednesday and offered their prescriptions for the future as the meeting celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The true value of widespread mammography screening is a contentious issue, with claims for its success difficult to disentangle from coexisting factors. Now, research from Denmark has produced the strongest evidence to date that screening produces significant re-ductions in breast cancer mortality.

Full-field digital mammography has turned into a superstar of x-ray, doubling in revenue and units shipped last year over 2003. Growth is expected to continue, although the pace may slow as the backlog of ordered systems shrank by year’s end to just 10% more than the number shipped.

The average dose of full-field digital mammography is less than that of screen-film mammography, according to a March report by the FDA.

Breast imagers and their allies cornered vendor representatives during a special session at the SCAR meeting Saturday and demanded more standardization and consistency in the handling of digital breast images.

The final 30 minutes of the Society for Computer Applications in Radiology’s marathon five-hour digital breast imaging forum was allotted to a manufacturers’ panel discussion. Representatives from more than 15 manufacturers fielded questions from the audience.

The final 30 minutes of SCAR’s marathon five-hour digital breast imaging forum on Saturday afternoon was allotted to a manufacturers’ panel discussion. Representatives from more than 15 manufacturers fielded questions from the audience.

A new U.K. report has highlighted uncertainties surrounding the use of computed radiography for breast screening. The findings add fuel to ongoing debates in Europe about the performance of CR mammography in clinical practice.

The Institute of Medicine has recommended sweeping changes to quality standards now being applied to breast imaging facilities. If Congress, which requested the study, enacts these changes, facilities will face a substantially greater burden in collecting patient data, potentially increasing the need for information technology.

The ability to manipulate images with digital mammography can result in fewer callbacks, and breast imaging centers could reduce costs associated with scheduling new appointments, reregistering patients, and rereviewing mammography exams.

Siemens closes in on CTI acquisitionAs of May 4, 94% of the outstanding shares of CTI Molecular Imaging had been acquired by Siemens Medical Solutions as part of that company’s bid to acquire the Knoxville, TN, firm. Siemens expects to complete the acquisition through a merger in which all CTI shares not validly tendered will be converted into the right to receive $20.50 per share. CTI would then become a wholly owned subsidiary of Siemens Medical Solutions. CTI Molecular Imaging is a supplier of PET products and services with annual revenues above $400 million and annual income near $60 million.

Refresher courses are among the most popular features of the European Congress of Radiology. The program planners have developed a knack for selecting timely topics and recruiting authoritative speakers. These courses are often better attended than the more trumpeted state-of-the-art, special focus, and New Horizons sessions. Because these courses usually start at either 8.30 a.m. or 4 p.m., the congress organizers may also view them as a subtle way of ensuring that lecture halls are full throughout the day.

Use of digital mammography is routine practice at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, although the breast imaging team, headed by Dr. William Poller, is still smoothing out the kinks.

Planar’s Dashboard hits the roadMedical displays are proliferating, appearing not just in radiology but in far-flung corners of hospitals and physician offices. To help PACS administrators manage those displays, Planar has developed the Dome Dashboard software console. This console, which is now commercially available, simplifies the centralized management, monitoring, and control of medical imaging displays. Dashboard alerts administrators when a display slips out of alignment, such as a change in the white level or drop in DICOM calibration conformance.