Breast imaging in the new era

Abstract

In the last decade, there have been huge advances in the field of breast imaging. Full field digital mammography systems optimise lesion to background contrast with resultant improvement in the sensitivity of the technique for cancer detection, facilitated by computer-aided detection. Though mammography remains the only established modality for population-based screening, preliminary results from several large studies indicate that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a role in high-risk patients. On the other hand, advances in ultrasound, MRI and nuclear medicine have the potential to greatly improve the specificity of breast imaging with regard to cancer detection and lesion characterisation. A number of new and experimental techniques are being developed which may have great impact in this area and these will be discussed. Though MRI now has an established place in the diagnosis of breast cancer, it is becoming clear that it can directly affect surgical and medical management by enabling assessment of response to chemotherapy and endocrine therapy, and facilitating choice of the most appropriate surgery. Just as the role of MRI has evolved, so too the place of nuclear medicine, particularly positron emission tomography and radio-immunoscintigraphy should become clearer in the next few years.

Modern Breast Cancer Detection: A Technological Review

“…A gadolinium-based contrast agent is commonly used in breast imaging [15, 33]. The subject lies prone, while either one or both breasts, depending on the type of coil, are imaged [33, 34].…”

Estimation of Parameters of Parathyroid Glands Using Particle Swarm Optimization and Multivariate Generalized Gaussian Function Mixture

“…The tracer used for localization of hyperfunctioning parathyroid gland/glands before the first surgery is lipophilic cation complex (MIBI: methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile) labeled with pertechnetate-99m Tc (gamma emitter with a half-life of 6 h, decays by isomeric transition to technetium-99). The factor determining tumor cell uptake of 99m Tc-MIBI is a strong electrostatic attraction between the (+) charged MIBI molecule and negatively (−) charged mitochondria [23]. The tracer is actively taken up and stored in the mitochondria.…”

99mTc-thymine scintigraphy may be a promising method in the diagnosis of breast cancer

“…The quality of scintimammography is not compromised by breast density, which limits the effectiveness of mammography particularly in young women. Breast scintigraphy has a major indication for select groups of patients with dense breasts; patients using hormone therapy; patients suspected of having recurrent disease resulting in architectural distortions secondary to previous surgery; patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy or who have breast implants; and patients at high risk for breast cancer (15,18-21). Scintimammography is also useful for the study of breast cancer multicentricity (13,15).…”