Dual-Energy Contrast-enhanced Digital Subtraction Mammography: Feasibility

TLDR

Dual‑energy contrast‑enhanced digital subtraction mammography was performed by acquiring high‑ and low‑energy images after iodinated contrast injection and subtracting the logarithmic transforms to produce iodine‑specific images. Among 26 patients, 13 had invasive cancers, 11 of which showed strong enhancement, one moderate, one weak, while ductal carcinoma in situ and benign tissue displayed weak or diffuse enhancement, demonstrating the technique’s feasibility and encouraging further study. © RSNA, 2003.

Abstract

A technique for demonstrating breast cancers, dual-energy contrast agent–enhanced digital subtraction mammography, was performed in 26 subjects with mammographic or clinical findings that warranted biopsy. The technique consists of high-energy and low-energy digital mammography after administration of iodinated contrast agent. Weighted subtraction of the logarithmic transform of these images is then performed to obtain an image that preferentially shows iodine. Of the 26 subjects, 13 had invasive cancers. Eleven of these tumors enhanced strongly, one enhanced moderately, and one enhanced weakly. The duct in one patient with ductal carcinoma in situ was weakly enhancing. In the other 12 patients, benign tissue enhanced diffusely in two and weakly focally in two. These results indicate that the technique is feasible and worthy of further study. © RSNA, 2003