Kubtec highlights intraoperative tomo study

Digital x-ray firm Kubtec highlighted research presented last week at the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) meeting showing that the use of intraoperative 3D specimen tomosynthesis reduces re-excision rates compared to conventional 2D imaging.

The study from the University of Washington compared 200 patients who had image-guided lumpectomies using both intraoperative 2D imaging and intraoperative 3D specimen tomosynthesis.

Dr. Cary Kaufman and colleagues found that in the 18 months following the adoption of the 3D technique for routine use, the surgical re-excision rate fell from 16% to 9%. Considering that the average re-excision rate for this procedure in the U.S. is generally thought to be 30%, a reduction of such magnitude is expected to reduce healthcare costs, as well as improve patient satisfaction.

Moreover, in 70% of the densities, the specimen tomosynthesis images provided more information than 2D specimen x-ray, and overall, 3D specimen tomosynthesis was more precise in 43% of lesions.

Kubtec's Mozart system uses 3D tomosynthesis to eliminate tissue interference by digitally removing overlying or underlying tissue in 1-mm slices, according to the company.