3-D Mammography – A Novel Dimension In Breast Cancer Detection

A set of scientists are carrying out a study to explore the application of stereographic imaging technology and three dimensional outputs in screening potential breast tumour growths, thus unravelling a potent means for early identification and treatment alongside lowering the number of false-positive outcomes and the need for follow-up testing.

Stereo mammography offers radiologists with a 3-D view of the breast’s internal composition by capturing two mammography images from slightly varying angles and displaying them on two Planar high –resolution systems (2,500 x 2,000 pixels) – LCD monitors that are connected one above the other at a 110degree inclination that are separated by glass partition that has a special coating. Through the specially layered glass the radiologist views the lower-placed monitor located at eye level while concurrently observing a reflection in the second monitor located at slightly higher than eye level and at angle facing down. The radiologist wears cross-polarised viewing glasses during the entire procedure. These images derived from varying advantage locations are then put together to comprehend the interiors of the breast in reference to the depth.

This novel procedure facilitates easier detection of small tumors that might be ambiguous due to being partly covered by adjacent normal tissue or on the other hand might conceal small malignancies.

Detailed images are not the sole issue as the inability to accurately deduce mammograms is also crucial in effectual breast cancer screening.  The precision of readings is dependent on the experience and skilfulness of the radiologists that interpret them. It is quite a tricky task to read mammograms as the radiologists or doctors are searching for preliminary stage cancerous growths that are miniscule sized, being 0.20inch or merely 0.50 cm in diameter. There is immense demand to skilfully be able to interpret mammograms.

The Stereoscopic mammography systems could be made by merely the addition of a stereo display to the existent digital mammography apparatus.

Stereo mammography has great potential in future as top mammography apparatus makers develop machines that would carry out breast digital tomosynthesis – a procedure that captures close to twenty images in an arc, with each of those images merely one to two degrees apart in front of each breast. These images could be coalesced and examined through stereo mammography equipment for creating 3-D images of the breast from varying angles.

Breast computed tomography or breast CT scan could be the superlative means of breast cancer screening though it might take a decade or so for it to be implemented.

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