Dilon Diagnostics has formed a sales alliance with PenRad, in which Dilon is expanding its portfolio to include the PenRad Mammography Information System (MIS), and Volpara, a quantitative breast density assessment tool that converts the qualitative breast x-ray image into quantitative data.

Newport News, Va.-based Dilon has developed a compact gamma camera that supports breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI)/molecular breast imaging (MBI) studies. BSGI/MBI are procedures that seek to see lesions independent of tissue density and provide a functional imaging complement to the anatomical imaging of mammography. BSGI/MBI could be useful for patients with equivocal mammograms, dense breast tissue and for help with determining the extent of disease, the company said in a statement.

Volpara is designed to assist radiologists by assessing a woman's breast density, and facilitates breast centers' compliance with new legislation and notification guidelines. PenRad, which is headquartered in Minnetonka, Minn., integrates the information from Volpara and BSGI/MBI into the routine MIS workflow, according to the companies.