3D Mammography / Tomosynthesis

Welcome to the Fastest, Highest Resolution, Most Accurate and Most Comfortable 3D Mammogram in the State!

The benefits of our new high resolution 3D Mammography over 2D Mammography:

• Earlier detection – 20-65% more invasive breast cancers found
• Highest resolution imaging on the market making it easier to identify abnormalities when they are smaller and more treatable
• Provides greater peace of mind by reducing the chance of unnecessary callbacks by 40%
• Fastest scan time at 3.7 seconds per image – compared to others at 24 seconds

Smart Curve

• Clinically proven to deliver a more comfortable mammogram without increasing dose
• The only clinically proven comfortable mammogram on the market

About your Exam

During your 3D mammogram, the X-ray arm sweeps in a slight arc over the breast, taking multiple breast images in just seconds. A computer then produces a 3D image of your breast tissue in one millimeter layers.

Now the radiologist can see breast tissue detail in a way never before possible. Instead of viewing all the complexities of your breast tissue in a flat image, the doctor can examine the tissue one millimeter at a time. Fine details are more clearly visible, no longer hidden by the tissue above and below.

Suspicious lesion

In the screening 2D mammogram (left image), there is a possible lesion in the central breast, but its margins are difficult to assess. Using tomosynthesis this can be clearly seen to be a spiculated mass, and almost certainly a malignancy.

An additional screening tool

For decades, doctors have been searching for a technology to help them find very small cancers while at the same time ruling out “false positives” and reducing the number of women who are called back for a diagnostic mammogram.

Scientists have developed a new technology called breast tomosynthesis ( 3D mammography ), which has been shown in clinical studies to be superior to digital mammography. (1,2)  3D Mammography is used as part of your annual screening mammogram to capture more breast images. Very low X-ray energy is used during the screening examination, so your radiation exposure is safely below the American College of Radiology (ACR) guidelines. Using breast tomosynthesis and digital mammography together for screening has been proven to reduce “call-backs.” (1,2)

XRANM was the first in New Mexico to incorporate the 3D mammogram technology known as tomosynthesis. We concluded that radiologists reading digital mammography(2D) plus breast tomosynthesis (3D) as compared to 2D mammography alone demonstrated superior clinical performance in specificity, the confidence to rule out breast cancer without recalling the patient for further study, and improved sensitivity, the proportion of mammograms with cancer which were correctly diagnosed.

“We absolutely had the opportunity to find cancers earlier than we would have without tomosynthesis, as well as finding more extensive disease than was initially expected, ” says Dr Michael Linver. Mammography has played a significant role in women’s health, reducing the mortality rate from breast cancer by as much as 50 percent. With traditional mammograms, overlapping tissue can obscure abnormalities or make normal tissue appear suspicious. As a result, as many as 20 percent of breast cancers are missed on a mammogram, while approximately 10 percent of women are recalled for additional exams. By removing the confusion of superimposed tissue, tomosynthesis affects the two primary goals of mammography: finding cancers as soon as possible and reducing unnecessary callbacks.

What to expect during your exam

A 3D mammogram is very similar to a traditional mammogram. Just as with a digital mammogram, the technologist will position you, compress your breast under our new, exclusive smart curve breast paddle. The mammography machine will make a quick arc over the breast, taking a series of breast images at a number of angles. This takes only 3.7 seconds per view. All of the images are then reviewed by the technologist at her computer workstation to ensure that the images are of high quality. The technologist sends your breast images electronically to the radiologist, who studies them and reports results to either your physician or directly to you.

 All of the images are then reviewed by the technologist at her computer workstation to ensure that the images are of high quality. The technologist sends your breast images electronically to the radiologist, who studies them and reports results to either your physician or directly to you.

Superimposed parenchyma

In the 2D image on the left, there is a potential lesion in the subareolar region of the breast. In the tomosynthesis images on the right, it is easy to see that there is no lesion present. One can pick out individual structures on the separate slices, which summate to form the potential lesion seen on the two-dimensional projection image.

How to prepare for your 3D mammogram

• Dress in a comfortable two-piece outfit
• Avoid wearing deodorant, powders, or creams
• Bring original films or CDs of any previous mammograms not performed at our facilities
• Bring your referral form from your doctor, your insurance card, and a picture ID
• Call 24 hours in advance if you must cancel your appointment

Is this technology covered by my insurance?

The FDA approved 3D mammography in February 2011. XRANM was the first in New Mexico to offer this technology and is offering this service in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Alamogordo and Farmington, NM. Most insurances have elected to cover this service as a preventive service for their members. For those insurances that are not currently being covered, we are offering this technology to patients as a voluntary addition to their traditional 2D mammogram at a self pay cost of $60 plus tax. This fee helps offset the cost of offering this new technology and includes the radiologist interpretation of the additional 3D imaging.

When do I get my mammography results?

Your exam will be interpreted by a Board-Certified Radiologist who specializes in Breast Imaging. You will receive a written letter in clear lay language within two to five working days.

Service Locations

Tomosynthesis is available at the Breast Imaging Center ,  XRANM Farmington ,  Northwest Imaging Center , Alamogordo Imaging Center and X-Ray Associates at Santa Fe.

1. Data on file at Hologic

2. The Hologic Selenia Dimensions clinical studies presented to the FDA as part of Hologic’s PMA submission that compared Hologic’s Selenia Dimensions combo-mode to Hologic 2D FFDM