High-Resolution Digital Breast Tomosynthesis Shows Promise in Enhanced Cancer Detection
A new study indicates that upgrading to high-resolution digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) may lead to more accurate breast cancer screenings. Researchers found a statistically significant improvement in cancer detection rates when using high-resolution DBT compared to standard resolution imaging.
A retrospective analysis, recently published in Clinical Imaging, examined data from over 184,000 mammograms and 37,673 women. The study compared five-year periods – one utilizing standard resolution DBT and another employing high-resolution DBT (Hologic Clarity HD, Hologic). The findings offer compelling evidence for the potential benefits of this advanced imaging technology.
Improved Detection Rates with High-Resolution DBT
The research revealed a cancer detection rate (CDR) of 4.9 per 1,000 exams with standard resolution DBT. However, the use of high-resolution DBT resulted in a CDR of 5.4 per 1,000 exams. This difference, according to study authors, was statistically significant even after accounting for factors such as patient age, breast density, high-risk status, and the radiologists interpreting the images.
“Overall…we saw a cancer detection rate of 5.4 per 1000 exams, which was statistically significant after we adjusted for potentially confounding variables,” explained a breast radiologist affiliated with Edith Sanford Breast Center Sioux Falls in South Dakota.
Impact of Prior Exams on Recall Rates and Detection
The study also highlighted the importance of having access to prior exams when utilizing DBT. Patients undergoing high-resolution DBT with access to previous imaging data experienced a 9.39% recall rate, compared to 7.8% for those with standard-resolution DBT and prior exams. Furthermore, the CDR was notably higher in the high-resolution DBT group with prior exams (5.38/1000) versus the standard-resolution group (4.22/1000).
Radiologists Impressed by Image Quality
The transition to high-resolution DBT at the Edith Sanford Breast Center Sioux Falls facility was met with immediate positive feedback from radiologists. They were struck by the increased spatial resolution and level of detail provided by the new technology. However, the clinical impact was the most rewarding aspect.
“Studies like this, where we are doing it in a real world setting and in a clinical setting where we see the impact on real patients, are exciting for us,” the radiologist stated. “Yeah, those images look beautiful, but it actually does seem to translate into better patient care, which is obviously what we’re all here for.”
This research underscores the evolving landscape of breast cancer screening and the potential for advanced imaging techniques to improve patient outcomes.
For related content, see “Reducing the Interval Breast Cancer Rate of Screening DBT: Can AI Have an Impact?,” “Mammography Study Shows Key Findings with AI in DBT Screening” and “Mammography Study Compares False Positives Between AI and Radiologists in DBT Screening.”
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