March 4, 2011 – The first clinical results from a research project focused on spectral (color) mammography shows promising diagnostic benefits for breast cancer. Published in the February issue of Radiology, the results will be presented at the 2011 European Congress of Radiology (ECR) in Vienna, March 5.
Single shot spectral imaging is enabled using Sectra’s photon counting MicroDose Mammography system. The photon counting technology enables the detection of photons with different energies and color in a single x-ray exposure instead of the multiple exposures needed by other technologies. The spectral information opens up a new approach to breast imaging, whereby the tissue type of the breast can be determined by the measured photon energies. This can potentially lead to higher cancer detection accuracy. The research project was funded by the European Union as part of the HighRex project.
It is already in use in most European countries, as well as in Australia and New Zealand. The main benefit of the system is the high image quality achieved with only half the radiation compared with other digital systems in the market.
For more information: www.sectra.com