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Latest Array News
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Array Corp. Extends its Partnership with Hologic |
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The implications of digital mammography on workflow, prior image comparison
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Array Unveils New High Speed Mammography Digitizer
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In addition to the positive implications of digital mammography for diagnosing and treating breast cancer, the technology has the potential to improve radiology workflow and can assist physicians in comparing old and new images via PACS integration.
Health Imaging News sat down with Thomas J. Nardozzi, president of
Array Corporation USA, to discuss the evolution of breast cancer screening
technology and how reading of mammography images has changed as a result. Array
Corporation is a developer of digital image processing and photometric
measurements products. The company’s MammoPro is a tabletop film digitizer
especially built for mammography images.
In brief, lay out
the line of technological developments in breast imaging.
It’s important to acknowledge the importance of early film screening systems
that replaced tube side mammography and xerography. As time went on, film
manufacturers were able to develop faster films and more efficient screens to
help reduce dose, while improving the image quality. Equipment manufacturers
found better ways with which to produce their equipment for utilization of
compression techniques and dose reduction to reduce dose, leading up to advances
we are now seeing in CAD. All of these things led us to where we are with full
field digital mammography taking shape, and the FDA and ACR [American College of
Radiology] saying “yes, this is the next logical step.” Now the cost and
efficacy of these systems have really improved to the point that benefits
patients and the practice of radiology. In the span of 20 years, we’ve seen
tremendous strides forward. That’s not a long time in the history of medicine to
see such great advances.
What effect will the FDA’s approval
of digital mammography have on image comparisons?
I think there will be significant impact. If you look at the work process, this
is the natural next step. In imaging departments — in hospitals, imaging
centers, or other venues — mammography has been set to the side and has not
necessarily been a fully active participant in the PACS. Well, here it is. Now
the radiologists can be far more productive by taking greater advantage of the
PACS to go about their work. Logically, what winds up happening is that we
eliminate radiologists getting away from their high-resolution displays to view
mammograms on light boxes for the purpose of comparing priors with digitally
acquired images, resulting in a more productive workflow that lends itself to
the promise of PACS.
What should be considered when shifting
to digital mammography from film?
The grand arbiter of deciding whether digital is acceptable or not all revolves
around, in my estimation, very few criteria. At the top of that list are image
quality and its impact relative to dose to the patient. Essentially, consider
delivery of the quality of the exam and its result. If digital is able to
compete with and equal or eclipse film screen and deliver the results to the
radiologist without going through any additional obstacles, then it passes the
test.
What are some additional benefits gained from storing
digital mammography images in PACS?
 Click here to listen to Thomas J. Nardozzi’s
response.
What other developments does the future
hold for mammography?
The science will continue to evolve, of course. We get to this plateau and we
think “wow, look what we’re doing now.” The things that we’re doing that help
people are just phenomenal. Well, the good news is that people are not resting
on what they have just accomplished, and they will keep pushing for better
technologies and better methods with which to diagnose, treat, and exercise good
patient care.
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