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Breast Tomosynthesis, Commonly Known as 3-D Mammography, at Norwood Hospital and St. Elizabeth's Medical Center ST. 3-D image, we can see if a calcification is on the skin or in the breast, which is important because skin calcifications are completely benign. We can also see if a mass has irregular borders, which would call for more testing, or if it is a nice round cyst that would not require a biopsy." Viewing the breast tissue in three dimensions enables the radiologist to more easily identify masses that may require further testing. "The main impact of having tomosynthesis technology from the standpoint of the radiologist is that we have an added degree of confidence that a finding is a real finding, rather than just a confluence of shadows," says Sanjay Shetty, MD, Chair of the Department of Radiology at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center. "This has the added benefit of reducing the anxiety of those patients who might previously have been called back for something that was really benign." ELIZABETH'S MEDICAL CENTER IN BRIGHTON AND NORWOOD HOSPITAL , both members of the Steward For more information about threedimensional breast tomosynthesis, please call Norwood Hospital at 781-769-4000 or St. Elizabeth's Medical Center at 617-789-3000 or visit www.steward.org. I Three-dimensional breast tomosynthesis mammogram layers, or "slices" PHOTO COURTESY OF STEWARD HEALTH CARE Health Care family of hospitals, are now using breast tomosynthesis technology, which offers more accurate detection of breast cancer in certain types of patients. "Digital breast tomosynthesis has revolutionized the way we diagnose cancer, especially in women with dense breast tissue," says Jane Auger, MD, radiologist at Norwood Hospital. "By essentially taking a 3-D movie of the breast, we can step through it frame by frame, seeing the tissue as it develops through the breast." Traditional two-dimensional mammography sometimes has limitations in detecting pathologies, or mistakenly shows benign cysts or skin calcifications as lesions because the breast tissue is superimposed. "Three-dimensional digital technology is very good, in particular, for younger women who tend to have more glandular breast tissue and less fat," says Dr. Auger. "There may be more dense tissue that distracts the eye from lesions that may be hidden." Traditional mammography equipment remains stationary as the X-ray source takes a picture through the breast. Digital breast tomosynthesis uses a moving X-ray arm that passes in an arc across the patient's body. The degree of compression of the breast is approximately the same in both pieces of equipment. "Three-dimensional mammography allows us to have more confidence in reviewing the mammograms, particularly if the patient has dense breast tissue or a lot of cysts or calcifications," explains Dr. Auger. "These things make a typical 2-D image difficult to interpret. With a Dr. Shetty notes that the acquisition of the 3-D tomosynthesis equipment was an investment in quality, safety and improved patient care. "We are very excited to be able to offer this technology as part of our comprehensive breast health program," Dr. Shetty says. "By using tomosynthesis in conjunction with our other state-of-the-art technologies, such as breast MRI and MRI-guided biopsy, we can offer a comprehensive breast health program from screening all the way through testing and treatment." MDNEWS.COM I MD NEWS Greater Boston | 11