Gail Calamari, M.D.
Patients are noticing the difference since Rye Radiology implemented 3D mammography more than two years ago, in 2012. Some are amazed they no longer need extra views. Some are grateful their 3D exam found that suspicious lesion when it was small and easier to manage. At least one patient credits the 3D exam with saving her life.
She was a patient of Gail Calamari, M.D., radiologist at Rye Radiology, and had been coming to the practice for annual screening mammograms for almost 10 years. Most of the time after her traditional 2D mammogram, she needed extra views. But last October, that changed when the patient’s 3D mammogram identified a very subtle lesion, which diagnostic tests confirmed as invasive lobular cancer. “The patient has difficult breasts,” explained Calamari. “She had lots of cysts and multiple nodules that we had to read through to look for cancers. Without the 3D technology it would have been incredibly hard, if not impossible, to find this lesion.”
“3D is the best tool we have ever had for mammography,” concurred Diane C. LoRusso, M.D., co-founder of Rye Radiology. “We are finding more cancers, we require fewer diagnostic work-ups and our radiologists are more confident reading the images. Our patients even tell us the Hologic 3D system provides a more comfortable exam.”
Leading the Way With Technology That Saves Lives
A private practice located in Westchester County, New York, Rye Radiology Associates, LLP is well-known in the region for leading the way in women’s breast health. It was the first facility in the county to implement 3D breast imaging when they added the Hologic 3D Mammography system in 2012.
“We have always been early adopters of life-saving innovations,” stated LoRusso. “We were the first imaging facility in Westchester County with dedicated mammography equipment over four decades ago. We were the first to perform ultrasound guided breast biopsies and stereotactic biopsies more than two decades ago. And two years ago we were the first imaging center in the area to offer 3D mammography.
“With the ability 3D imaging gives us to look at the breast in thin sections, we are confident we are seeing breast tissue as best we can with mammography. We never felt that way in the past,” continued LoRusso. “We knew in some patients we were not seeing optimally with traditional 2D imaging, so we took extra views and different angles to see the breast tissue better. Patients are anxious when they have the extra work-up, so 3D is a huge benefit to the patient.”
The practice even reports several cases where the 3D mammogram detected cancer, which they could not see on the pre-operative MRI. “In our experience, 3D mammography can find some cancers that MRI misses,” stated LoRusso.
Using Advanced Technology to Reduce Dose and Improve Care
In 2013, Rye Radiology added C-View software to its breast imaging platform and began providing patients low-dose 3D mammography exams. C-View software generates 2D images from the 3D data and eliminates the 2D exposure that was required prior to availability of the C-View images. According to LoRusso, the C-View images are clearer than traditional 2D mammography images. “The C-View algorithm makes it easier to see calcifications. We have cases where we have found calcium deposits on the C-View images, which turned out to be DCIS. In some cases, calcifications were better seen on the initial C-View images than the 2D coned down diagnostic magnified images.
“With 3D, dense breasts, particularly areas of overlapping tissue, are easier to evaluate so we do fewer diagnostic work-ups,” she continued. “As a result, the amount of radiation for magnification views and diagnostic mammograms also is reduced considerably.”
Increasingly Patients Choose 3D Mammography
Last year, Rye Radiology performed 8,000 mammograms. The practice offers the 3D exam to every screening patient; and to date, about half of the patients are choosing the 3D technology. Rye Radiology expects the number to increase annually. After her mammogram, each patient meets with one of the practice’s three radiologists for a physical exam and review of her mammogram findings. “We create an important rapport with patients and they gain a level of comfort knowing we have reviewed everything,” explained LoRusso.
The availability of 3D mammography is attracting new patients to the practice; and, some are traveling from outside the area just for the 3D exam. “New patients are coming because our 3D technology provides a better test,” explained LoRusso. “There is nothing better than 3D for mammography.”
For Rye Radiology, 3D mammography is a win-win situation. Patients are very happy, particularly those who no longer need additional work-ups, and the staff is more comfortable and confident in their readings. “We chose 3D mammography because the technology is better, because you see breast tissue better,” concluded LoRusso. “We’re seeing more cancers with 3D, and we know we have used the best mammographic technology available to find early cancer.”
Case study supplied by Hologic Inc.
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July 29, 2024 
