Dear AuntMinnie Member,
NEW YORK CITY - While shear-wave elastography is a highly specific test for characterizing breast lesions, its mediocre sensitivity can be a weak point. But incorporating a quality measure map to grade the quality of the actual shear-wave signals can lead to substantial increases in sensitivity, according to a presentation here at the annual meeting of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM).
In a scientific session, Dr. Richard Barr, PhD, of Radiology Consultants in Youngstown, OH, shared how the use of a color-coded quality measure map propelled shear-wave elastography's sensitivity from 41% to as high as 93%. Were there any downsides?
Find out more by clicking here, or by visiting your Ultrasound Digital Community at ultrasound.auntminnie.com.
SBI coverage
Our Women's Imaging Digital Community has been stocked with coverage of several presentations at this week's Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) postgraduate course in Los Angeles.
In a Tuesday talk, Dr. Michael Linver from X-Ray Associates of New Mexico had both good news and bad news for breast imagers. On the bright side, breast imaging has a solid infrastructure and proven track record. Unfortunately, the specialty now faces a double whammy of rising costs and lower reimbursement. The long-term viability of mammography also is subject to the whims of multiple spheres of influence, Linver told attendees.
Fortunately, he shared a number of steps breast imaging centers can take to navigate this turbulent period. Find out all the details in associate editor Kate Madden Yee's coverage of the presentation, which you can access here.
On Monday, Dr. Stephen Feig of the University of California, Irvine told those in attendance that the rate of breast cancer "overdiagnosis" is lower -- a lot lower -- than the 30% cited by some studies and, in any case, doesn't negate the benefits of screening.
Find out how he arrived at his conclusions here, or by visiting the Women's Imaging Digital Community at women.auntminnie.com.
