Quantitative Assessment of Breast Density: Transmission Ultrasound is Comparable to Mammography with Tomosynthesis.

Elevated breast density is among the strongest independent predictors of breast cancer. Breast density scores are critical inputs in models used to calculate a patient's lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. Today, the only FDA-cleared technology for assessing breast density uses mammography.

Quantitative assessment of breast density using transmission ultrasound tomography.

Purpose: Breast density is important in the evaluation of breast cancer risk. At present, breast density is evaluated using two-dimensional projections from mammography with or without tomosynthesis using either (a) subjective assessment or (b) a computer-aided approach. The purpose of this work is twofold: (a) to establish an algorithm for quantitative assessment of breast density using quantitative three-dimensional transmission ultrasound imaging; and (b) to determine how these quantitative assessments compare with both subjective and objective mammographic assessments of breast density.

The Impact of Patient Demographics on the Selection of Breast Imaging Centers.

Objective: Studies show that health care tailored to patient preferences results in significant improvements in physician performance, patient satisfaction, and health outcomes. Limited information in the literature exists on the factors driving patient preferences for establishing care at specific breast imaging centers. In this study, we identified factors that drive cohort preferences in the selection of a breast imaging center.

Strategic Expansion Models in Academic Radiology.

In response to economic pressures, academic institutions in the United States and their radiology practices, are expanding into the community to build a larger network, thereby driving growth and achieving economies of scale. These economies of scale are being achieved variously via brick-and-mortar construction, community practice acquisition, and partnership-based network expansion. We describe and compare these three expansion models within a 4-part framework of: (1) upfront investment; (2) profitability impact; (3) brand impact; and (4) risk of execution.