Emily Sedgwick, MD, Associate Professor of Radiology at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, indicated that the study by Holt et al is the first description of the synthetic two-dimensional (2D) screening approach and has the strength of being prospective in design. Future evaluations would benefit by having multiple and blinded readers and by expanding the population beyond women needing diagnostic imaging, she added.
According to Dr. Sedgwick, the benefits of synthetic 2D mammography in conjunction with 3D image review are becoming even more certain with “the newest iterations” of the technology, which yield clinical detection rates comparable to that achieved with combined conventional 2D plus 3D, along with a 45% reduction in radiation dose.1
By resulting in fewer false-positive results, increased detection of invasive cancer, and less radiation, she concluded, synthetic 2D mammography with 3D image review represents a “win-win-win” strategy. ■
Disclosure: Dr. Sedgwick reported no potential conflicts of interest.
Reference
- Skaane P, Bandos AI, Eben EB, et al: Two-view digital breast tomosynthesis screening with synthetically reconstructed projection images: Comparison with digital breast tomosynthesis with full-field digital mammographic images. Radiology 271:655-663, 2014.
