Abstract

Breast imaging is a sub-speciality of diagnostic radiology that involves imaging of the breasts for screening or diagnostic purposes. There are various methods of breast imaging using a variety of technologies as described in detail below. Traditional screening and diagnostic mammography uses X-ray technology. Breast tom synthesis is a new digital mammography technique that produces 3D images of the breast using X-rays, Xeromammography and Galactography also use X-ray technology and are also used infrequently in the detection of breast cancer. Breast ultrasound is another technology employed in diagnosis & screening and specifically can help differentiate between fluid filled and solid lumps that can help determine if cancerous, Breast MRI is, yet, another technology reserved for high-risk patients and can help determine the extent of cancer if diagnosed, Lastly, scintimammography is used in a subgroup of patients who have abnormal mammograms or whose screening is not reliable on the basis of using traditional mammography or ultrasound.