Can mechanical imaging increase the specificity of mammography screening?

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of adding adjunct mechanical imaging to mammography breast screening. We hypothesized that mechanical imaging could detect increased local pressure caused by both malignant and benign breast lesions and that a pressure threshold for malignancy could be established. The impact of this on breast screening was investigated with regard to reductions in recall and biopsy rates. Methods: 155 women recalled from breast screening were included in the study, which was approved by the regional ethical review board (dnr 2013/620). Mechanical imaging readings were acquired of the symptomatic breast. The relative mean pressure on the suspicious area (RMPA) was defined and a threshold for malignancy was established. Results: Biopsy-proven invasive cancers had a median RMPA of 3.0 (interquartile range (IQR) = 3.7), significantly different from biopsy-proven benign at 1.3 (IQR = 1.0) and non-biopsied cases at 1.0 (IQR = 1.3) (P < 0.001). The lowest RMPA for invasive cancer was 1.4, with 23 biopsy-proven benign and 33 non-biopsied cases being below this limit. Had these women not been recalled, recall rates would have been reduced by 36% and biopsy rates by 32%. Conclusions: If implemented in a screening situation, this may substantially lower the number of false positives. Key Points: • Mechanical imaging is used as an adjunct to mammography in breast screening.• A threshold pressure can be established for malignant breast cancer.• Recalls and biopsies can be substantially reduced.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3217–3225
Number of pages9
JournalEuropean Radiology
Volume27
Issue number8
Early online date2017 Jan 20
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Cancer and Oncology
  • Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging

Free keywords

  • Biopsy rate
  • Breast screening
  • Mammography
  • Mechanical imaging
  • Recall rates

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Can mechanical imaging increase the specificity of mammography screening?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this