Digital Tomosynthesis in Diagnosis of impalpable Breast Cancer

Purpose . To compare the diagnostic performance of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and digital mammography (DM) for breast cancers. Materials and Methods . The study included fifty-seven patients with histologically verified breast cancer. Given the subjective evaluation of the benefits of technology for tomosynthesis imaging of pathological signs characteristic of breast cancer (tumour, focal asymmetry, restructuring or microcalcifications). The data obtained on the base of DM and additional DBT information were assessed according to BI-RADS scale (force BI-RADS). The interdependence between the categories according to BI-RADS scale and the nature of the radiological manifestations of breast cancer was determined using Chi-square (c 2) test. Results . A total of 59 breast cancers were reviewed, including 17 (28.8%) mass lesions, 12 (20.3%) focal asymmetry/density, 6 (10.2%) restructuring, 23 (39.0%) calcifications, and 1 (1.7%) intracystic tumor. Mammography with DBT was more informative to visualize 58.8% of the lesions, 83,3% of focal asymmetry, 94.4% of violations architectonics and only 11.6% of the signs of microcalcifications. When making conclusion on BI-RADS scale, in 84.4% of cases category of findings was increased from 0 (when performing DM) to 4 or 5 (when performing DBT). Category opinions 4A on the scale of BI-RADS in the implementation of DM in 27.3% of cases was increased after evaluation of the images of the DBT, a symptom of malignancy in this category were mainly detected microcalcifications. Significant interdependence ( p < 0,001) between BI-RADS category and pathological radiographic signs was noted. Conclusion . DBT allows to obtain more accurate visual information about mass formation, focal asymmetry, violation of the architectonics and improves the diagnostic efficacy of mammography.

gynecology, radiation dose, impalpable masses, image interpretation, radiation exposure, mammography, breast X-ray, a series of images, comparative analysis, superposition of tissue structures, microcalcifications, tomosynthesis