Advances in Breast Imaging and Intervention

Abstract

Over the past couple of decades, screen-film mammography has been replaced by full-field digital mammography (FFDM) improving the mammographic quality. However, sensitivity of mammography is often limited by breast density. Majority of recent advances like the digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM), abbreviated breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and automated breast ultrasound (US) have been developed to either to overcome the limitations in standard mammography or to offer alternative imaging methods to improve detection of early breast cancer. In addition, other advances such as elastography offer better specificity and prehistological characterization of lesions especially when initial imaging findings are equivocal. Advances in image-guided intervention such as vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) helps in better sampling ability or option for lesion excision (VAE), thereby reducing the need for open surgical biopsies. Newer localization methods like radioactive/magnetic seeds and radiofrequency tags have offered flexibility for the breast surgeons, radiologists, and the patient in terms of time frame between the surgery and the localization.