New Imaging Method May Ultimately Reduce Number of Breast Biopsies

A new imaging method for the detection of breast cancer, which may ultimately reduce the number of breast biopsies, is being developed at Ohio State University.

The imaging involves computerized analysis of magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of breasts to detect blurred regions that may correspond to microcalcifications that are sometimes indicators of cancer.

Researchers found that this new technology was nearly 100 percent accurate in detecting blurred regions in breast MRIs, according to the study published in Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Some calcifications are a sign of cancer.

Researchers are currently studying how different types of breast calcifications would distinctively blur a breast image. "Once we have a vocabulary of blurred signatures for different types of structures in different orientations and locations in the breast, we can link them to the probability of cancer in each of those regions," said Bradley Clymer, associate professor of electrical engineering and researcher on the project.

The new technology will not be ready for clinical use for several years, according to the researchers.

Other Sources: Ohio StateUniversity