New Technology
Digital Mammography
Digital Mammography Now Offered at TRA
 TRA Medical Imaging has taken a tremendous step forward to advance
the quality of breast imaging by purchasing three state-of-the-art
full Lorad® Selenia™ field digital mammography systems. Digital mammography
uses computers and specially designed digital detectors to produce an
image that can be displayed on a high-resolution computer monitor, and
transmitted and stored like computer files.
Comparing Digital to Film-based Images
For the patient, the exam experience (the breast compression)
is basically the same. The biggest difference is that the images
are electronic and are not developed onto traditional film. This
decreases the
actual exam
time and provides the radiologists with higher quality images than
available with traditional film (analog) mammography.
 Because the images are electronic, they can be easily stored
on our picture archiving communications system (PACS)—a storage system
used to maintain patients’ digital images. Images can then be printed
on CD or film, eliminating dependence on only one set of “original” films.
Faster, Better Quality Exams
Digital mammography allows radiologists to view the x-ray images
more closely, zeroing in on areas of concern. Digital mammography
exams take less time than traditional film-based exams and the
radiologist may
review the images while the patient is in the examination room.
Images can also be sent instantaneously to other reading stations
on the digital mammography
network to facilitate second opinions as necessary.
In conjunction with the digital mammography unit, TRA also utilizes
computer-aided detection (CAD). CAD provides a "second read" of
the mammogram by a computer. This assists the radiologist in making an accurate
diagnosis, similar to spell check in word processing.
Scientific Findings Support Digital Mammography
For some populations of women, there is now conclusive scientific
evidence of improved accuracy. The Digital Mammographic Imaging
Screening Trial (DMIST) Investigators Group reported in the October
27, 2005 issue
of the New England Journal of Medicine that “digital mammography is
significantly more accurate in (1) women under the age of 50 years, (2)
women with radiographically dense breasts, and (3) premenopausal or perimenopausal
women.”
In women younger than 50, digital mammography detected approximately
15 to 28% more cancers. In women with dense breasts, it picked
up 15% more cancers—a significant finding, as women with dense breasts tend to
be at higher risk for breast cancer. In premenopausal women, digital mammography
detected 21% more cancers. These three subsets included approximately 65%
of the women in the trial.
Digital mammography is a significant advancement in breast imaging.
Along with breast MRI, MRI-guided breast biopsies, PET imaging,
and the other state-of-the-art breast diagnostics we offer, digital
mammography enables TRA to offer the most comprehensive breast
diagnostic care
available
anywhere.
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