3D Breast Ultrasound Enhances Diagnostic Certainty

A new software-based application helps clinicians visualize breast anatomy volumetrically and provides detailed characterization of lesions.

The application, designed for the Hologic (Bedford, MA, USA) SuperSonic MACH 40 system, allows clinicians to access high-resolution B-mode and ShearWave PLUS elastography volumetric data and examine areas of interest. Breast tissue can be visualized in any perspective plane of the 3D volume, including coronal or C-plane. MultiSlice display allows the 3D volumes to be viewed slice-by-slice, while MultiPlanar display virtually reconstructs the slices in any orientation, using the acquired and stored volume.

UltraFast image capturing technology of up to 20,000 frames per second ensures smooth images with reduced speckle, improved lesion conspicuity, and no resolution loss, regardless of lesion location within the breast, including in patients with dense breast tissue. And by pairing the 3D imaging with ShearWave PLUS elastography, more accurate tumor size estimation and clear margin definition are available in pre-operative settings, as well as monitoring and evaluating of the breast cancer patients during and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

“At Hologic, we relentlessly strive to advance the early detection of breast cancer. With each innovation across the breast care continuum, we’re moving toward greater certainty for our customers,” said Jennifer Meade, president of breast and skeletal health solutions at Hologic. “The addition of 3D breast ultrasound imaging to the SuperSonic MACH 40 system is yet another example of the steps we’re taking to transform the daily experience of breast radiologists and sonographers with solutions designed to increase efficiency and accuracy, while also helping to improve diagnostic confidence.”

Shearwave elastography relies on generation of shear waves via displacement of tissues, as induced by a focused ultrasound beam or by external pressure. The resulting shear waves are lateral, with a slow motion perpendicular to the direction of the generating force, and are rapidly attenuated by tissue. The propagation velocity of the shear waves correlates with the elasticity of tissue.