A 3D whole breast multiplanar reconstruction software has been unveiled from SonoCiné. This new software package augments the already existing high-resolution transverse imagine technology SonoCiné has worked on.
The new software builds upon the SonoCiné AWBUS, medical imaging technology for early breast cancer detection. It connects to standard ultrasound machines, and provides a consistent, repeatable scan of the whole breast, including the axilla (underarm / lymph nodes). The software package offers viewing in three dimensions. It maintains the high-resolution transverse view, and adds the coronal and sagittal views.
“Studies have shown that using the native transverse acquisition plane image is more reliable in detecting both benign and malignant masses,” said Dr. A. Thomas Stavros, a board certified radiologist with 30 years of experience in breast imaging and a breast ultrasound expert. “However, the coronal view is an added method to visualize the lesion once it has been detected, confirm its existence, distinguish it from artifact, and is particularly good for showing speculation and architectural distortion in malignant masses.”
SonoCiné Automated Whole-Breast Ultrasound System (AWBUS) (Credit: SonoCiné)
How 3D Whole Breast Multiplanar Reconstruction Works
According to the team at SonoCiné, here’s how the new software technology works: Once an area of suspicion has been identified using SonoCiné AWBUS, users of the new 3D software will be able to apply whole breast multiplanar reconstruction to further investigate the region. The 3D view shows the area being interrogated from all three planes — coronal, transverse and sagittal.
“This allows for a more thorough investigation of potential lesions, which can dramatically improve diagnostic abilities,” Dr. Stavros said. “The fact that we’re adding on to existing ultrasound systems is far more cost effective for health care providers, who don’t have to invest in dedicated systems or purchase additional ultrasound units.”
The development of the 3D software is in direct response to requests from radiologists and healthcare providers. Women with dense breast tissue are four to five times more likely to develop breast cancer and are notoriously far more difficult to diagnose by mammography alone. Informing women of their breast-tissue type and the increasing availability of better diagnostic tools are growing national trends.
“Our goal is to discover invasive breast cancer in dense breasts as early as possible in order to prevent the ravages of both the disease and its treatment,” said Dr. Kevin M. Kelly, SonoCiné inventor and founder.
