Performing computed mammography exams using a new needle-based detector system can dramatically reduce radiation dosage without sacrificing image quality, according to new research released Friday.
A team of German doctors retrospectively analyzed the system—which reduces light scattering and enhances x-ray absorption—in 360 mammograms for their study published in the European Journal of Radiology. The needle-based imaging plate system reduced required dosage by nearly 30% and helped experts view and score key areas on mammograms.
Full-field digital mammography is typically the go-to for many breast imaging centers, but the NIP approach may still be useful for institutions with smaller budgets, Markus Hittinger, with University Hospital Augsburg, and colleagues wrote.
“Even though full-field digital mammography systems can achieve further substantial dose reductions (about 35%), the needle system will still provide a valuable tool to departments disposing only of a limited budget, especially in developing countries,” they added. “This is—in addition to the still lower operating costs—due to its robustness and the fact that NIPs can be easily integrated in preexisting powdered storage phosphor (PIP)-based imaging systems.”
The team compared mammograms performed on a modality running the needle-based imaging plate system with the preliminary exams acquired on the same device at a standard dose but utilizing a PIP approach.
After two mammography experts read the blinded images twice, they found the NIP-produced images offered “significantly” improved visualization of parenchyma regardless of the American College of Radiology classification level. And solitary microcalcifications were easier to detect in all but one ACR level.
Intraobserver and interobserver agreement were excellent, but there was no significant difference in the experts’ ability to score macrocalcifications, cysts, fibroadenomas, and physiologic lymph nodes.
“Because an enhanced image quality, as well as further dose reduction, represent important goals in conventional mammography, NIP’s represent a promising development in computed mammography…” the authors concluded.
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.