Current EWBC Research Projects

 

Breast Tomosynthesis

EWBC is participating in a multi-facility IRB approved study with the Hologic(TM) Dimensions Breast Tomosynthesis unit. This new technology is on track as the next breakthrough in breast imaging, providing a 3-D image of the breast.

Cone Beam Breast CT

EWBC is currently involved in an IRB approved study evaluating non-contrast and contrast enhanced Cone-Beam Computed Tomography for Breast Imaging (CBCT, Koning Corporation) with a new breast CT imaging modality.

Elastography

We will be enrolling 50 patients to trial a new, non-invasive ultrasound technique that measures stiffness (elasticity) of a lesion and should differentiate benign and malignant lesions relative to normal breast tissue. The software detects the difference in tissue motion and calculates a strain image, called an elastogram. The equipment has been developed by Siemens Medical. This is a multi-center trial. The primary investigator is Dr. Richard Barr, located in Youngstown, Ohio. Other participating sites are located in London, England; Villejif Cedex, France; Cary, North Carolina; and Cleveland, OH.

Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

• EWBC is retrospectively reviewing the clinical experience of our community based breast MRI program with second look ultrasound.
• EWBC is retrospectively reviewing the asymptomatic high risk screening MRI studies in patients with a personal history of breast cancer, BRCA gene positive, or significant family history.
• EWBC is retrospectively reviewing contrast enhanced MRI examinations of patients undergoing chemotherapy to record the response to therapy.

Computer Aided Detection (CAD)

The clinic continues to evaluate the efficacy of CAD with the various presentations of breast carcinoma as well as CAD performance with digital mammography.

Transitioning from Analog to Digital

• EWBC has become an all digital facility using an electronic medical record. Throughout the transition, our physicians and administrators have documented, analyzed, and published the “in’s and out’s” of the transition of a dedicated breast clinic. As the technology moves forward, new challenges arise every day
• EWBC is actively participating in assisting manufactures with their digital technology through our Radiologist expertise.