Dear Women’s Imaging Insider,
New research in breast cancer screening continues to explore what radiologists and technologists face as they strive to improve patient care. Such research also seeks to uncover trends for women seeking breast care, including attitudes toward AI mammography or timeliness in care.
One study evaluated the challenges that technologists may face when imaging women who have cardiac implantable electronic devices such as pacemakers. Researchers found that technologists often change their approach in assessing image quality on mammography in these situations, which may lead to repeat imaging. Read what else they found in their survey study in this edition’s featured article.
In other patient-related news, a study by Brown University researchers showed that accuracy and advertising may influence women’s willingness to pay for AI mammography. And a team out of Johns Hopkins University reported that since the COVID-19 pandemic, women are facing more delays in having their abnormal screening mammogram evaluated.
In other news, a deep-learning model demonstrated superior performance over breast density in measuring women’s breast cancer risk. Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston reported that the model stratified false-negative screening results across risk groups in their study published in JAMA.
The spring conference season is in full swing, and experts are sharing data from new studies that offer insights into women’s imaging. One study presented at the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) annual meeting in Seattle showed that omitting sentinel lymph node surgery does not increase rates of radiation therapy treatment or whole-breast irradiation. Another presentation given at the American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) annual meeting in Pittsburgh addressed surveillance strategies for women treated for breast cancer. And the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) welcomed Gary Whitman, MD, as its new president.
Outside of breast imaging, a recent study showed how a CT-based nomogram can support radiological reporting and triaging of advanced ovarian cancer. Another study explored the use of MRI in quantifying the occurrence of placental contractions, which may help clinicians better understand the placenta’s function.
The Women’s Imaging MinnieCast has been covering various areas within breast imaging. Some guests have included Wendie Berg, MD, PhD, who spoke on the state of contrast-enhanced mammography, and Stamatia Destounis, MD, who discussed what breast imagers should know about the current edition of BI-RADS. Another episode dove into controversial new breast cancer screening guidance by the American College of Physicians (ACP).
Finally, be sure to check out our ShowCast of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) annual meeting, being held in Cape Town, South Africa. Coverage will begin on May 9, and we’ll be tracking women’s imaging research throughout the conference.
Did we miss anything? Feel free to drop us a line and be sure to check out the Women’s Imaging content area on AuntMinnie.com for the latest news in research, practice, and policy.
Amerigo Allegretto
Associate Editor
AuntMinnie.com