New Diagnostic Imaging for Dense Breasts with Suspicious Lesions

A recent study looks at a new approach to diagnostic imaging for dense breast tissue via MRI near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).

The study notes that a combination MRI/NIRS may benefit those with an abnormal mammogram and request further testing in order to rule out the possibility of cancer. According to background information from the study, researchers note that the test would involve an invasive biopsy to further investigate tumors with a new method via adaptation of an individuals body size as well as accommodate a range of cup sizes.

As women with dense breasts are more likely to develop breast cancer, this new technology could help penetrate the dense tissue that is often missed from traditional equipment. Though standard breast screening is effective 77 to 97 percent of the time in a normal breast, when a breast is dense, the precision falls down to 63 to 89 percent.

Biomedical engineers from the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth worked to develop the new model that is designed with eight light transmitting cables that surround the breast with light tension. Therefore, when a woman lies on her stomach and the breast hangs pedant through holes of the MRI/NIRS breast coil, the procedure seems nearly identical to that of an MRI.

Eight women participated in a trial of the new design. "We found that the new interface allowed us to target lesions more effectively than ever before, said Michael Mastanduno, corresponding author of the study, via a press release. "Set up time was faster and images were of higher quality."

The researchers also added that "This work is a huge improvement on previous designs of MRI/NIRS systems. All breast sizes and lesion locations can now be effectively imaged. Though there is more work to be done, this technology is promising for improving MRI's ability to distinguish cancer from benign abnormalities," said Mastanduno.

As they continue, researchers note their next step is to test MRI/NIRS in women with suspicious lesions. 

More information regarding the study can be found via the  journal Academic Radiology.