Dr. Ana Lourenco, of Brown University, and colleagues compared the recall rate, biopsy positive predictive value, and cancer detection rate before and after adding tomosynthesis to mammography screening. Lourenco's group compared results from 11,818 digital screening mammograms acquired without tomosynthesis between March and December 2011, and 11,794 mammograms acquired with the technology between March and December 2012.
The recall rate for the group that had mammography only was 8.6%, compared with 6% for the group that had both mammography and tomosynthesis -- a 30% decrease. There were no significant differences in the biopsy positive predictive values or cancer detection rates per 1,000 patients screened.
This 30% decrease in recall rate following the addition of tomosynthesis could not only reduce patient anxiety, but also healthcare costs, Lourenco's team concluded.
