Volpara enables true comparison of dose across machines so that we can spot issues early and truly keep women safe and informed," said Marcela Böhm-Vélez, practicing radiologist and president of Weinstein Imaging, Pittsburgh, PA.
CHICAGO (PRWEB) December 02, 2014
The value of volumetric breast imaging data to provide critical insight for optimal breast imaging quality and workflow is the focus of numerous abstracts accepted for presentation here, at the 100th Annual Meeting of the Radiology Society of North America (RSNA), November 30-December 5, 2014 (RSNA Booth 1752 – South Hall).
According to Volpara Solutions, six abstracts highlight the use of quantitative breast imaging software tools to provide breast imaging and analytics data, including volumetric density, patient-specific dose, applied pressure and other factors designed to maintain accuracy and consistent quality in breast screening using digital mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis. For a complete summary of the volumetric research being presented at RSNA, visit RSNA – Volpara Research Summary.
In the scientific exhibit, “Can we use the manufacturer reported mammography dose to inform patients?” (BRS263), researchers from Elizabeth Wende Breast Center reviewed manufacturer-reported mean-glandular dose (MGD) for 30 women who had undergone sequential screening mammograms on a mix of three manufacturers’ systems. The manufacturer-reported MGD varied considerably sequential mammograms and between manufacturers, with changes ranging from -2.87 to +4.31 mGy. Additionally, since the algorithms used by manufacturers vary, the estimations are not easily compared.
This is consistent with other research, which has demonstrated that mammography units routinely under- or over-estimate dose because they do not include the patient’s specific volumetric breast density in the estimation. In another abstract examining patient dose in mammography, “System-wide monitoring of mammographic radiation dose for quality assurance” (BRS266), researchers from Weinstein Imaging used VolparaAnalytics on more than 11,000 images to compare manufacturer-reported MGD to a patient-specific estimate. Automated stratification of the data by mammography unit suggested that one vendor underestimated MGD compared to the patient-specific dose calculations, despite similar breast density characteristics of the populations. The abstract concludes that for more accurate reporting of MGD, it is essential that a standardized method be used across all manufacturers’ systems.
"At Weinstein Imaging, we want to ensure our patients are safe and informed during screening. Part of that includes monitoring and recording patient dose, Volpara enables true comparison of dose across machines so that we can spot issues early and truly keep women safe and informed," said Marcela Böhm-Vélez, practicing radiologist and president of Weinstein Imaging, Pittsburgh, PA.
Accurate breast density estimation is important for breast cancer risk assessment and guiding personalized breast screening recommendations. In the presentation, “Fully automated volumetric breast density estimation from digital breast tomosynthesis images: Multi-modality comparison with digital mammography and breast MRI” (SSJO1-03 - Tuesday, December 2, 3– 4pm in the Arie Crown Theater), researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, review results of a study to evaluate the feasibility of automated volumetric breast density for breast tomosynthesis and compare the results to digital mammography and breast MRI. The abstract concludes that volumetric breast density estimates from breast tomosynthesis data sets were highly correlated to density estimates from digital mammography and MRI, and hold the potential for more accurate density assessments and more accurate measures of breast cancer risk.
In addition, on Thursday, December 4, 10:30am - 12:00 (Room E450A), the “Breast Imaging Breast Density & Risk Assessment,” Session (SSQ01), will include three presentations that feature VolparaDensity: ”Automated volumetric breast density and risk of cancer stratified by pathological attributes,” “Comparing breast density measurement techniques in screening digital mammography,” and “The diagnostic effect of digital breast tomosynthesis in relation to visually assessed and automated volumetric breast density.”
The role of volumetric density in adjunctive imaging for women with dense breasts is the topics of numerous presentations.
“The impact of volumetric breast density and its role in managing the use of tomosynthesis and supplemental imaging remain hot topics at RSNA, as evidenced by the large number of studies being presented that address consistency in measuring breast density, risk assessment and monitoring mammographic dose to ensure safe, quality patient care. We are proud that researchers worldwide routinely use Volpara to conduct critical research aimed at improving the early detection of breast cancer,” said Ralph Highnam, PhD, Volpara Solutions’ CEO and Chief Scientist.
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About Volpara Solutions
Founded to enable radiologists to give women the most accurate information possible regarding their breast health, Volpara Solutions is the wholly owned sales and marketing arm of Matakina Technology Limited of New Zealand. Cleared by the FDA, HealthCanada, the TGA, and CE-marked, VolparaDensity provides an objectively volumetric measure of breast density from both digital mammography and tomosynthesis images. VolparaDensity is part of a suite of quantitative breast imaging tools built on the Volpara Solutions algorithm that allows for personalized measurements of density, patient dose, breast compression and other factors designed to help maintain accuracy and consistent quality in breast screening. For more information, visit http://www.volparasolutions.com
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Media Contacts:
Chris K. Joseph
Volpara Solutions
510/435-4031
chris(dot)joseph(at)volparasolutions(dot)com