Digital Mammography with 3D Tomosynthesis

Digital mammography with 3D tomosynthesis is an advanced imaging technique used for breast cancer screening and diagnosis. It combines digital mammography, which captures two-dimensional (2D) X-ray images of the breast, with tomosynthesis, which generates multiple thin slice images to create a 3D reconstruction of the breast tissue.

In traditional digital mammography, X-ray images of the breast are captured from two angles: top-to-bottom and side-to-side. While this provides valuable information about the breast tissue, it can sometimes result in overlapping structures that may obscure small abnormalities, leading to false positives or false negatives.

With tomosynthesis, multiple low-dose X-ray images are taken as the X-ray tube moves in an arc over the breast. These images are reconstructed by a computer to create a series of thin slice images, similar to the slices of a CT scan. This allows radiologists to scroll through the images and view the breast tissue layer by layer, reducing the effects of overlapping structures and providing a clearer view of abnormalities.

The combination of digital mammography with 3D tomosynthesis offers several advantages over traditional mammography alone:

• Improved Cancer Detection: Tomosynthesis can detect smaller and more subtle abnormalities within the breast tissue, including early-stage cancers, which may be missed on 2D mammograms.
• Reduced Recall Rates: By providing more detailed information about the breast tissue, tomosynthesis helps reduce false-positive findings and unnecessary recalls for additional imaging or biopsies.
• Better Visualization of Breast Tissue: Tomosynthesis provides a clearer view of the breast tissue, especially in women with dense breasts, making it easier to detect abnormalities hidden by overlapping tissue.

Overall, digital mammography with 3D tomosynthesis is a valuable tool in breast cancer screening and diagnosis, offering improved accuracy and reducing the need for additional imaging studies or interventions. It is recommended for routine breast cancer screening in many healthcare settings, particularly for women with dense breast tissue or other risk factors for breast cancer.