FULL FIELD DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY

Digital mammography is a technique for recording x-ray images in computer code instead of on x-ray film, as with conventional mammography. The images are displayed on a computer monitor and can be enhanced (lightened or darkened) before they are printed on film. Images can also be manipulated; the radiologist (a doctor who specializes in creating and interpreting pictures of areas inside the body) can magnify or zoom in on an area. From the patient’s perspective, the procedure for a mammogram with a digital system is the same as for conventional mammography.

Digital mammography may have some advantages over conventional mammography. The images can be stored and retrieved electronically, which makes long-distance consultations with other mammography specialists easier. Because the images can be adjusted by the radiologist, subtle differences between tissues may be noted. The improved accuracy of digital mammography may reduce the number of followup procedures. Despite these benefits, studies have not yet shown that digital mammography is more effective in finding cancer than conventional mammography.

The first digital mammography system received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2000. An example of a digital mammography system is the Senographe® 2000D. Women considering digital mammography should talk with their doctor or contact a local FDA-certified mammography center to find out if this technique is available at that location. Only facilities that have been certified to practice conventional mammography and have FDA approval for digital mammography may offer the digital system. A list of conventional mammography facilities is available by calling the Cancer Information Service at 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237), or by visiting the FDA Web site at http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfmqsa/search.cfm on the Internet. Four FFDM systems have hithertoo been approved. Being Hologic Selenia the last one in October the 2nd, 2002.

See the following updated links for more info.

whats_new-rev.html FAQ to the FDA

http://www.imagingeconomics.com/library/200207-12.asp CR and DR

http://www.fujimed.com/news/news_cr_mammo_progress.html

http://www.fujimed.com/news/press_mammo.html Workstation and CAD coming soon..

Cancer.gov - Digital Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial. Clinical trial on use of FFDM in screening by the NCI. (15 Feb 2003).

http://www.imagingeconomics.com/library/200107-13.asp

http://www.instrumentariumimaging.com/page.asp?section=105&item=1316

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/corp/pressReleases/pr20010731-01.shtml

Digital Mammograms - Digital Mammography GEE URL on FFDM.

http://www.hologic.com/press-rel/press032002.shtml

Martin Yaffe, Ph.D:digital mammography programme Toronto university page on FFDM

Paula Gold: http://www.diagnosticimaging.com/dinews/2002050201.shtml

Etta Pisano: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/content/news/nd012802-1.htm

Ultimas noticias en aprobaciones de Mamografía digital por la FDA

(Last update February 2003)