Digital mammography with tomosynthesis

What is tomosynthesis?

Digital mammography has a higher resolution than analog (film) mammography, but it still has some limitations related to the type of breast structure. 

For example, in case of fatty breast involution (the natural process of replacing glandular tissue with fatty tissue in women over the age of 50), digital mammography is good at detecting pathology. However, with a higher density of breast tissue (in women under 50 years of age, or due to individual characteristics, taking hormone replacement therapy), the detection of diseases decreases significantly.

Unlike 2D mammography, the principle of tomosynthesis is a sequence of tomograms at different angles followed by the formation of 3D images.

The obtained series of images characterizes the layered state of the glandular fibrous breast tissue and allows almost completely eliminating the possibility of a missed pathological site. All the images are transferred to a computer, where they are processed and formed into a three-dimensional image using a special program. For a more convenient examination by a radiologist.

At the EMC, you can do digital mammography with tomosynthesis using one of the best digital mammographs from HOLOGIC Selenia Dimensions.

The study is practically painless, as it does not require strong compression of the mammary glands to obtain excellent images.

It can be performed for women with breast implants. 

Indications

This study should be conducted regularly once a year for all women over the age of 40. Mammography with tomosynthesis can be performed for patients at risk:

• previously identified formations in the mammary gland (fibroadenoma, etc.);

• the presence of first-line relatives who have been diagnosed with breast cancer;

• the use of hormonal drugs as contraception or during menopause;

• history of breast surgery (breast plastic surgery, implants, etc.),

• previous cancer, etc.

How is it conducted

• Mammography with tomosynthesis does not require special training. The study is conducted from the 5th to the 12th day of the cycle, for menopausal women-on any day.If there are acute complaints, it is performed on any day of the cycle.

• If you have the results of previous examinations, conclusions on surgical intervention, etc., it is advisable to show them to a radiologist.

• Mammography with tomosynthesis is performed in a specially equipped room. Before the examination, you will be asked to take off your clothes and jewelry above the waist. Next, the specialist will show you how to position the breast in the mammograph. The advantage of our device is that it is not necessary to compress the breast strongly during the examination.
  

• The procedure lasts about 10 minutes.

• The results of the survey are provided in the form of a digital disk with images, and we can also send a link to the study uploaded to the file exchanger by e-mail.