November 17, 2011 – PenRad announced it is offering customers access to a new integration within its mammography information system (MIS): Volpara Breast Density Software for automatic quantification of breast density and volume. This integration offers PenRad MIS users access to further streamline workflow and improve patient care management.
Volpara automatically quantifies breast density and volume, and provides physicians with automatic and objective quantitative breast tissue density information. It can be used in informing patients of their tissue density-related risk and in documenting the need for adjuvant screening
A national trend has been developing to incorporate laws requiring breast imaging programs to notify patients of breast density following a mammogram. Dense breast tissue has been shown to obscure abnormalities on a mammogram.
Connecticut and Texas have passed breast density laws, and several other states have related legislation pending. These new laws indicate that upon completion of a mammogram, if dense breast tissue is demonstrated, patients may benefit from adjunct screening tests (i.e. ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging) to assist in identifying abnormalities.
“PenRad shares our commitment to improving the detection of cancer through better access to critical breast health information,” said Ralph Highnam, M.D., CEO at Matakina International Ltd. “The objective measurement of breast density clearly offers important clinical information, but the technology will not be used effectively unless it is easily integrated into routine diagnostic workflow. The ability to display breast density values on the PenRad MIS is a significant step.”
PenRad products include a Web-based multimodality reading workstation; computer-aided analysis for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer-aided detection (CAD) for ultrasound; and information systems for fast and reliable interpretation, reporting, tracking and management of clinical data.
For more information: www.penrad.com