A team led by Dr. Paul Fisher of Stony Brook University Hospital used an imaging technique that reduced breast compression by optimizing the signal-difference-to-noise ratio. To do this, the group determined the device's optimal tube potential (kVp) by limiting molecular glandular dose (MGD) increase to less than 10% without decreasing the signal-difference-to-noise ratio.
For the study, 21 patients with abnormal mammograms underwent DBT scans using full compression and minimal compression. Two breast radiologists scored lesion visibility for both the full- and minimal-compression images using a five-point scale.
The researchers increased the tube potential by 2 kVp to 3 kVp over the full-compression protocol without a significant change in MGD or image quality. When they compared the conspicuity of 26 masses and six microcalcifications in the 21 patients, they found that MGD for full compression and minimal compression did not differ significantly. They also found that the conspicuity of masses was equivalent between the two compression protocols and the conspicuity for microcalcifications was comparable.
Patients found the minimal compression protocol more comfortable, Fisher's team wrote.
"By optimizing imaging technique, breast compression can be reduced to less than half in DBT without sacrificing image quality or increasing MGD," the group concluded. "The resulting increase in patient comfort may improve compliance with recommended screening practices."
