Analog versus digital breast imaging

Case contributed by Garth Kruger
Diagnosis not applicable

Presentation

Routine screening study left breast. Previous analog images 3 years ago.

Patient Data

Age: 45 years
Gender: Female
mammography

Analog MLO view right breast 3 years ago.

mammography

Note the small developing density high up just anterior to the pectoral muscle profile. MLO view digital image of the right breast 2013

ultrasound

Small solid spiculated lesion on ultrasound. The lesion is almost as tall as broad, nearly tilted on its head.

Case Discussion

Train your eye to run up and down the pectoral muscle profile. This will allow you to pick up small lesions like this. Another example of how important it is to review the submammary fat.

Do not despair if your previous images are analog. It's still worth reviewing them. 

(If you look at the original analog image, do you also get the impression the little shadow is already there? Hindsight in radiology and life is 20/20).

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