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Evolving Medical-Legal Issues in Breast Imaging

  • Breast Imaging (H Ojeda-Fournier, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Because breast imaging practice is associated with a high number of medical malpractice lawsuits, understanding basic medical-legal parameters becomes even more important as new technology and conditions of practice evolve. Incorporating new supplementary breast screening in strategizing a response to the importance of breast density, recognizing the purpose and ramifications of issuing diagnostic imaging reports, understanding the role of expert witnesses in assisting standard of care determinations and employing reasonable applications for off-label use of medical devices exemplify the relevance of integrating defensible practice patterns in a changing medical environment. This article addresses these issues and provides a contextual discussion so that physicians and facilities are educated in their selection of a wide variety of approaches that can be applied to clinical use.

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Correspondence to R. James Brenner.

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R James Brenner declares no potential conflicts of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

All reported studies/experiments with human or animal subjects performed by the authors have been previously published and complied with all applicable ethical standards (including the Helsinki declaration and its amendments, institutional/national research committee standards, and international/national/institutional guidelines).

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This article is part of the Topical collection on Breast Imaging.

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Brenner, R.J. Evolving Medical-Legal Issues in Breast Imaging. Curr Radiol Rep 6, 4 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40134-018-0261-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40134-018-0261-0

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