Tomosynthesis in Screening Mammography

Those patients randomized to the mammogram arm will receive a regular 2D mammogram. Compression lasts several seconds in order to obtain 4 views. The x-ray tube is programmed to obtain an arc of low dose projection images through the breast.

Those patients randomized to the tomosynthesis arm will receive a combination of 3D and 2D screening mammogram. The additional tomosynthesis data is obtained immediately after acquisition of the 2D study, with the patient and breast remaining in the same position and compression. Compression lasts about 7 seconds longer for each of the 4 views. The x-ray tube is programmed to obtain an arc of low dose projection images through the breast.