Digital mammography

Digital mammography is a specialized form of mammography that uses digital receptors and computers instead of x-ray film to help examine breast tissue for breast cancer.^[1] The electrical signals can be read on computer screens, permitting more manipulation of images to theoretically allow radiologists to more clearly view the results.^[2][1] Digital mammography may be "spot view", for breast biopsy,^[3] or "full field" (FFDM) for screening.^[1]. Note that for biopsies, the biopsy would be performed under a different modality, such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

While radiologists had hoped for more marked improvement, the effectiveness of digital mammography was found comparable to traditional x-ray methods in 2004, though there may be reduced radiation with the technique and it may lead to fewer retests.^[1] Specifically, it performs no better than film for post-menopausal women, who represent more than three-quarters of women with breast cancer.^[4]

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force concluded that there was insufficient evidence to recommend for or against digital mammography.^[5]

Digital mammography is a NASA spin-off, utilizing technology developed for the Hubble Space Telescope.^[6]

Prevalence

As of 2007, about 8% of American screening centers used digital mammography. Around the globe, systems by Fujifilm Corporation are the most widely used.

Costs

In the United States, GE's digital imaging units typically cost US$300,000 to $500,000, far more than film-based imaging systems.^[4] Costs may lower as GE begins to compete with the less expensive Fuji systems.^[4]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} http://www.imaginis.com/breast-health/digital-mammography-2
2. ^ http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=mammo
3. ^ http://www.theradiologyblog.com/2011/10/how-to-perform-ultrasound-guided-breast.html
4. ^ ^{a b c} Sulik, Gayle (2010). Pink Ribbon Blues: How Breast Cancer Culture Undermines Women's Health. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 193–195. ISBN 0199740453. OCLC 535493589. 
5. ^ "USPSTF recommendations on Screening for Breast Cancer". http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsbrca.htm. Retrieved 2010-09-13. 
6. ^ http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/363454main_medical_flyer.pdf