State of the art advances in breast imaging: the Twente Photoacoustic Mammoscope
Thirty-three breast malignancies were examined with the advanced prototype of the ‘Twente Photoacoustic Mammoscope (PAM)’ in order to understand the in vivo performance of this method and channel further research and development, since patient data for this technique is currently limited.
Key Points:
• Photoacoustic breast imaging visualizes malignancies with high imaging contrast.
• Photoacoustic lesion contrast is independent of the mammographically estimated breast density.
• No clear relationship exists between photoacoustic characteristics and lesion type, grade, etc.
• Photoacoustic specificity to breast cancer from some cases is not yet optimal.
Authors: Michelle Heijblom, Daniele Piras, Frank M. van den Engh et al.