Paul Langford Carson PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Marilyn A. Roubidoux MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Gerald L. LeCarpentier PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mitchell M. Goodsitt PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Rebecca C Booi MS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mark Alan Helvie MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

This is to report experience and impressions from the first 50 human breast studies with a combined, full-field digital x-ray mammography (FFDM) and 3D ultrasound (US) system. The purpose was to develop techniques for maintaining ultrasound and mammographic image quality over effectively the entire breast of a wide range of breast characteristics. This development was in preparation for clinical trials yet to come to show whether this basic, automated system is equivalent to mammography and hand-scanned US, the latter performed by highly experienced academic radiologists. The system is also serving as a research platform to develop and evaluate advanced modes of 3D imaging, including cardiac gated Doppler, elasticity and compound imaging and image-based registration for easily detecting and evaluating interval changes.

One or both breasts of 50 subjects were imaged in CC or LM views with the GE/UofM combined breast imaging system. 15 breast cancers were imaged before and after chemotherapy. The system consists of the GE Senographe 2000D FFDM and the Logiq 9 US systems, plus a compression paddle with motorized transducer carriage for the M12L, 10L and 7L arrays.

Cystic breasts (27) were particularly valuable for the subjective and objective assessment that local US image quality through the compression plate closely approaches that in direct transducer contact. The automated system clearly gives a better view of the entire breast, along with direct registration to the mammogram. The same is true for color flow imaging, but scan time is practical only for ROIs. Image quality generally is better with compound imaging, but there are time tradeoffs. Elasticity imaging was well implemented in 2D on several subjects and techniques were developed to successfully control the tendency of many larger cancers to slip out of compression.

A combined FFDMM/3D US system can be implemented with performance suggesting that clinical trials of equivalence are warranted. Recent results of FFDMM/US tracking of tumor response to chemotherapy are promising and motivate continued patient accrual. Supported in part by NIH Grants 1RO1CA91713 and 1P01CA87634.

P.L.C.,M.A.R.,G.L.L.,M.M.G.,R.C.B.,M.A.H.: Work performed in cooperation with GE Global Research Laboratories.

Carson, P, Roubidoux, M, LeCarpentier, G, Goodsitt, M, Booi, R, Helvie, M, Experience and Impressions from the First 50 Human Breast Studies with Combined X-ray and Ultrasound.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4418733.html