Overview of digital breast tomosynthesis: Clinical cases, benefits and disadvantages.
In France, the national breast cancer-screening program is based on mammography combined with clinical breast examination, and sometimes breast ultrasound for patients with high breast density. Digital breast tomosynthesis is a currently assessed 3D imaging technique in which angular projections of the stationary compressed breast are acquired automatically. When combined with mammography, clinicians can review both conventional (2D) as well as three-dimensional (3D) data. The purpose of this article is to review recent reports on this new breast imaging technique and complements this information with our personal experience. The main advantages of tomosynthesis are that it facilitates the detection and characterization of breast lesions, as well as the diagnosis of occult lesions in dense breasts. However, to do this, patients are exposed to higher levels of radiation than with 2D mammography. In France, the indications for tomosynthesis and its use in breast cancer-screening (individual and organized) are yet to be defined, as is its role in the diagnosis and staging of breast cancer (multiple lesions). Further studies assessing in particular the combined reconstruction of the 2D view using 3D tomosynthesis data acquired during a single breast compression event, and therefore reducing patient exposure to radiation, are expected to provide valuable insight.
Department of Women's Imaging, Centre Hospitalier de Valenciennes, avenue Désandrouin, CS 50 479, 59322 Valenciennes cedex, France. Electronic address: nguyentoan5989@gmail.com.
T
T
Nguyen
Department of Women's Imaging, Centre Hospitalier de Valenciennes, avenue Désandrouin, CS 50 479, 59322 Valenciennes cedex, France.
G
G
Levy
Department of Women's Imaging, Centre Hospitalier de Valenciennes, avenue Désandrouin, CS 50 479, 59322 Valenciennes cedex, France.
E
E
Poncelet
Department of Women's Imaging, Centre Hospitalier de Valenciennes, avenue Désandrouin, CS 50 479, 59322 Valenciennes cedex, France.
T
T
Le Thanh
Department of Gynecology, Centre Hospitalier de Valenciennes, avenue Désandrouin, CS 50 479, 59322 Valenciennes cedex, France.
J F
JF
Prolongeau
Department of Gynecology, Centre Hospitalier de Valenciennes, avenue Désandrouin, CS 50 479, 59322 Valenciennes cedex, France.
J
J
Phalippou
Department of Gynecology, Centre Hospitalier de Valenciennes, avenue Désandrouin, CS 50 479, 59322 Valenciennes cedex, France.
F
F
Massoni
Department of Women's Imaging, Centre Hospitalier de Valenciennes, avenue Désandrouin, CS 50 479, 59322 Valenciennes cedex, France.
N
N
Laurent
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology; D000071060:Breast Density; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000002:abnormalities; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary / Q000379:methods
Breast cancer; Mammography; Mastology; Tomosynthesis