Through literature review give an overview of the existing breast imaging modalities, techniques that are already becoming incorporated into clinical practice and the new technological advancements that are still in earlier stages, such as digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), breast sonoelastography, magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), automated breast ultrasound, positron emission mammography (PEM) and breast-specific gamma imaging.

The unifying principle in breast cancer screening is that early diagnosis can result in decreased patient morbidity and mortality.The imaging of breast cancer has undertaken significant progression in recent years. Although mammography is the mainstay of early breast cancer detection and with ultrasound and physicalbreast examination saves lives, it is not perfect and it has known limitations, about 10–15% of cancers are missed due to a variety of reasons including observer error, often because the cancer is hidden by dense normal parenchymal tissue. As a...

Digital Breast Tomosynthesis Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) was first introduced by Niklason et al in 1997 and has since then been discussed in various publications. It is an imaging technique that provides multiple images of the breast obtained from different angulations of the X-ray tube while the breast remained in constant position and is a technique of interest for screening and diagnostic procedures because it enables 3D reconstruction. This capability allows cross-sectional visualization of breast tissue and reduces the difficulty caused by superposition or overlapping...

Technological advances in breast imaging, such as DBT, ultrasound and mri elastography, have gained extensive acceptance, and have shown significant potential benefits in breast cancer detection enhancing the diagnostic accuracy. In sum: Digital mammography is important as an enabling technology. It offers advances in image processing, transmission, and display, but also facilitates the development of CAD, 3D tomosynthesis, and contrast-enhanced mammography. MRI advantages include a very high true positive rate, with demonstration of almost all invasive cancers above 3 mm in diameter. MRE is an...

Bansal, G.; Thomas, K. (2010): "Imaging techniques in breast cancer"; Surgery (Oxford); V.28:117-124. Brem, R. et al (2010): “Detection of Occult Foci of Breast Cancer Using Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging in Women with One Mammographic or Clinically Suspicious Breast Lesion”; Acad Radiol; 17:735–743 Chen, S. et al (2007): "Initial Clinical Experience With Contrast-Enhanced Digital Breast Tomosynthesis"; Academic Radiology; v.14:229-238. Dean, J. (2012): “Using Automated Breast Ultrasound to Reduce or Eliminate Interval Cancers” in www.diagnosticimaging.com Diekmann F., Bick U. (2007): "Tomosynthesis and contrast-enhanced digital mammography: recent advances...

Ana Catarina Martins Pereira Adjunct Professor of Radiology scientific area of the School of Health Dr Lopes Dias Castelo Branco/ Portugal