2D Images and Tomosynthesis Matches Standard of FFDM and Tomosynthesis

Combining reconstructed 2D images and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) provides adequate imaging comparable to full-field digital mammography (FFDM) plus DBT, according to a study published in the journal Radiology.

Researchers from Norway undertook a clinical trial to compare imaging accuracy of reconstructed 2D images and DBT with the FFDM plus DBT. A total of 24,901 screening examinations were performed on women who were between the ages of 50 and 69 (mean age, 59.2). Craniocaudal and mediolateral oblique views of each breast were acquired by mammography, and FFDM and DBT views of each breast were acquired during a single breast compression per view.

The screening took place over two periods: Period 1 took place from November 22, 2010 to December 21, 2011 (12,631 women), and period 2 from January 20, 2012 to December 19, 2012 (12,270 women). The images were compared in terms of cancer detection and false-positive rates.

The following cancer detection rates and false positives were found:

The authors concluded that the tomosynthesis combination “performed comparably to FFDM plus DBT and is adequate for routine clinical use when interpreting screening mammograms.”