Mammography

The pending FDA approval of FujiFilm’s computed radiography-based mammography system will radically change how the company approaches the U.S. market not only in CR but in PACS. Company strategists plan to position two CR products -- the single-plate reader ClearView-1m (mammography) and the multicasssette reader ClearView-CSm -- as dual-purpose devices capable of converting analog mammography systems to digital, while amplifying the capacity of and backing up already installed CR devices. Fuji will simultaneously market a mini-PACS for mammography that can be integrated with currently installed PACS, increase the capabilities of these PACS, and eventually replace them.

Dartmouth researchers have combined MR and near-infrared (NIR) imaging to form a hybrid breast scanner. The prototype, which has been tested successfully on volunteers and some breast cancer patients, is being groomed to detect early tumor growth and to stage tumors by characterizing their vascular and cellular makeup. By developing combined NIR/MR imaging, the researchers hope to evolve this hybrid into a mainstream modality for diagnosing breast cancer and following the treatment of patients.

Computer-aided detection software results in just a slight improvement in breast cancer detection, and it misses a substantial number of malignancies, radiologists reported at the American Roentgen Ray Society meeting on Thursday.

Automatic and recommended settings on digital mammography systems have a significant impact on patient dose as well as image quality, according to a study presented at the American Roentgen Ray Society meeting on Tuesday.

The one indispensable piece in Hologic’s rise to power in the digital mammography marketplace is the amorphous selenium flat detector that serves as the heart of its Selenia full-field digital mammography system. Recognizing the importance of this component, Hologic has acquired AEG Elektrofotografie, its sole provider of the amorphous selenium photoconductor coating applied to Selenia’s digital detectors, in a deal valued at more than €21 million.

Digital tomosynthesis shows promise for improved lung nodule detection compared with chest radiography. It may also improve performance of CAD algorithms for lung nodule detection by eliminating structure overlap that causes many false positives, according to a study presented at the 2005 RSNA meeting.

Researchers from Seoul National University Medical Center found that ultrasound-only detected breast cancers are not very sensitive to a mammography computer-aided detection system.

Minimally invasive CT colonography has been embraced by radiologists and patients alike. As the technique evolves, its use is shifting from specialized academic centers to community hospitals and private practices. That transition is focusing increased attention on reimbursement, clinical efficacy, and interpretation issues. Computer-aided detection for CTC could affect all three.

Less than a week after going public with its intent to acquire Suros Surgical, Hologic announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire R2 Technology, the acknowledged pioneer of computer-aided detection. The stock swap is valued at $220 million. With the Suros deal (valued at $240 million) already on the table, Hologic now has about a half-billion dollars in transactions in the works.

Hologic sales soar in 2Q Intelerad to launch workstation at SCAR meetingOhio State adds 12T magnetSiemens FFDM ready for the roadExecutive shuffle goes into high gear

SonoSite allies with Siemens in GermanyFDA approves optimized digital mammography unitCommissure launches RadCube suite

BrainLab readies image-guided drug plannerCardinal Health taps new top exec

Women’s health imaging specialist Hologic has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Suros Surgical Systems, a maker of breast biopsy equipment. The deal, valued at more than $240 million, could make the Indianapolis company a wholly owned subsidiary of Hologic by the end of the second quarter, pending due diligence and final approval by Suros’ investors and regulatory clearances.

Researchers from Seoul National University Medical Center have found that breast cancers detected by ultrasound only are not very sensitive to computer-aided detection.

The merits of screening mammography have again become a subject of debate following new research suggesting that breast cancer surgery speeds up disease progression in young women. The study's authors recommend that breast screening consent forms include the risk of accelerated tumor growth and early relapse.

Electrical waveforms guide lumpectomyZonare snags Kaiser Permanente contract

A relatively new small field-of-view gamma camera has proved promising for two of the most hard-to-detect breast cancers: ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive lobular carcinoma.

Toshiba installs five CV labs at Borgess Brachytherapy provider to distribute argetScan Optical imaging probes enter biomedical market FDA releases list of imaging opportunities Cardiac agent moves to next phase Module builder unveils transportable MR facilities Volcano files for IPO Terason signs with Premier PET/CT, preclinical systems debut at AMI MR Instruments appoints new COO North American Scientific readies launch of breast initiative ScImage and Excribe partner Film prices climb drastically NEMA exec nears career end Cedara readies advanced orthopedic software Fischer faces end of the line Mammography volume inches upward Outpatient provider bags $161 million in credit Siemens unveils upgrades at AIUM meeting Del Global names VP Emageon recruits new COO IT developers partner in orthopedics Positron woos Canada SonoSite prevails in patent case

Capitalizing on the momentum generated by advances in human genomic research, the National Cancer Institute has launched an initiative to identify genetic alterations that make people susceptible to prostate and breast cancer.

Modern imaging has a ways to go before it can replace breast biopsy. A study conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality indicates that currently available noninvasive imaging methods fall short of the accuracy needed to determine conclusively whether a lesion is cancerous.

Options for image-guided procedures in the breast have expanded considerably over the past 20 years. A variety of modalities are now being used to perform diagnostic, localization, and therapeutic interventional procedures for breast disease.

Acquiring information about mammography procedures is one thing. Using that information in a report and follow-up is something else. That's where programs like MagView come in. The mammography information system can be configured with integrated scheduling, billing, radiology reporting, transcription, patient tracking, management reporting, and equipment quality control.

Released in late January, Fusion Matrix PACS version 2.1 introduces reading enhancements, including the ability to query and retrieve studies from third-party DICOM sources, reserve studies, and mark studies as preliminary. Other new tools include triangulation, which lets the user define a target point on an image to view the corresponding anatomic position in other series.

Upgrades and enhancements for digital mammography systems are good news for women’s health practitioners who have already invested in the next stage of mammography. But those still contemplating the move to digital technology are beginning to consider alternatives.

Computer-aided detection has carved out a role in the last few years as a tool for flagging subtle lesions that have the characteristics of cancer. As demonstrated by new products at the 2005 RSNA meeting, CAD is expanding its scope to find abnormalities or alterations in anatomy that may call for a change in the management of patients.