Researcher: Slot Scan Digital Mammography (SSDM) Enabled Diagnostic Decisions
without Additional Imaging in 9 out of 10 Microcalcification Cases
CHICAGO, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The use of digital mammography improved
the diagnostic process and reduced the patient recall rate by more than 40
percent compared to film screen mammography, according to a study presented
here at the 90th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological
Society of North America (RSNA), Nov. 28 - Dec. 2, 2004. The study joins a
growing body of research demonstrating the clinical and patient satisfaction
benefits of digital mammography.
Titled "The Impact of Full-Field Digital Mammography Using Slot Scanning
Technology on Imaging Productivity," the prospective study showed that the use
of slot scan digital mammography reduced the recall rate by more than 41
percent. For women screened with film screen mammography, 275 or 4.1 percent
were recalled for additional views or breast ultrasound compared to the recall
of 85 or 2.4 percent of women screened using digital mammography.
"After installing two SenoScan digital mammography systems from Fischer in
2003, we started to see a decrease in patients recalled for additional work-
ups. This study was designed to objectively validate and measure the true
impact of digital mammography on our practice and our patients," said Nancy
Wilson, MD, director of mammography at Sarasota Memorial Hospital Breast
Center in Sarasota, Fla. "What we found was a significant difference in
recall rates with the introduction of slot scan digital mammography. This not
only increased our overall practice efficiency, it has dramatically increased
time available for radiologists to perform diagnostic work-ups of symptomatic
patients."
During the study, 11,058 women underwent routine mammography screening and
interpretation at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Breast Center, which performs
more than 25,000 mammograms annually. To objectively evaluate impact on
cancer detection and recall rates, data were collected with segregation of
Full Field Digital Mammography (FFDM) and Film Screen Mammography (FSM)
patients.
Additional review was performed for all cases recommended for biopsy. Of
the 55 FFDM patients interpreted as a BIRADS 4 or 5, 34 had
microcalcifications. Of these, only 3 patients were recalled prior to final
assessment, meaning that radiologists were to make the final diagnostic
determination without further imaging in more than 90 percent of the cases.
"When biopsy was recommended for a mass, there was a nearly equivalent
recall rate between slot scan digital and film-based mammography due to
similar use of spot compression mammography and breast ultrasound. However,
there was a significant divergence when a biopsy was recommended for
suspicious microcalcifications, 8.8 percent for digital compared to 56 percent
for film," added Dr. Wilson. "In 9 out of 10 cases, our radiologists were
able to make a diagnostic determination based on the initial routine four view
digital mammogram without further imaging. This resulted in dramatic
improvements in the diagnostic process and reduced patient anxiety."
The results also showed an improvement in the detection of early stage
breast cancer. The detection rate for film screen mammography was 3.6 per
1000 cases compared to 5.2 per 1000 cases for slot scan digital mammography.
In this study, the positive predictive value, or PPV 3 for FFDM was 36.4
percent compared to 33.3 percent for film screen mammography.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most
frequently diagnosed cancer in US women, with 211,300 invasive and 55,700 in
situ cases expected in 2003, accounting for nearly one in every three cancers
diagnosed. It is also the second leading cause of death in US women, claiming
nearly 40,000 lives a year.
Each year, approximately 34 million screening mammograms and 3.3 million
diagnostic mammograms are performed in the United States. Screening
mammograms are conducted on asymptomatic women, while diagnostic mammograms
are performed on women with symptoms that may be indicative of breast cancer.
Fischer's slot scanning technology utilizes a tightly collimated x-ray
beam that scans in precise alignment with a narrow slotted image receptor.
This highly efficient design essentially eliminates the negative effects of
scatter radiation without requiring the use of a grid. The result is sharp,
high-resolution images with up to a 60 percent reduction in radiation dose.
The next generation of SSDM, the SenoScan2 system is the only digital
mammography system to offer both 50 and 25-micron native diagnostic
resolution. The SenoScan2 system offers the industry's highest image
resolution with dramatically reduced radiation dose and the virtual
elimination of motion artifacts.
"We believe these results continue to validate the clinical value that
digital mammography brings to the early detection of breast cancer. The best
defense women at risk for breast cancer have is annual screening and Fischer
is proud to deliver the best image quality available in mammography," said
Harris Ravine, Fischer Imaging president and CEO. "However, image quality is
only part of the picture. That these results demonstrate Fischer's patented
digital mammography technology is giving radiologists the tool to provide high
quality diagnoses, quickly and efficiently, means we're providing solutions to
real clinical problems."
About Fischer Imaging
Fischer Imaging Corporation designs, manufactures and markets medical
imaging systems for the screening and diagnosis of disease. One company focus
is women's health, particularly the diagnosis and screening of breast cancer
through the application of innovative digital imaging technologies. The
company also produces equipment designed for Emergency, Radiology, Surgical,
and certain Cardiovascular needs. Fischer Imaging began producing general-
purpose x-ray imaging systems in 1910 and is the oldest manufacturer of x-ray
imaging devices in the United States. For more information, visit
http://www.Fischerimaging.com.
SOURCE Fischer Imaging Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.Fischerimaging.com
CONTACT:
Chris K. Joseph, +1-510-339-2293 or
chris@ckjcomm.com, for Fischer Imaging
EDITORS' ADVISORY: Nancy Wilson, MD, will discuss the results of
the "The Impact of Full-Field Digital Mammography Using Slot
Scanning Technology on Imaging Productivity" study at an RSNA
press briefing on Tuesday, November 30, at 2:30 pm.
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