Improved Mammography CAD and Interventional Radiology Systems Introduced at ECR

A mammography system addresses current limitations of X-ray image diagnosis for the detection of breast cancer, whereas an interventional radiology system helps achieve clear, real-time images with reduced-dose fluoroscopy.

ContextVision (Stockholm, Sweden), the software imaging company, introduced two innovative solutions at the 2011 European Congress of Radiology (ECR), held in Vienna, Austria, in March 2011. A mammography system addresses current limitations of X-ray image diagnosis for the detection of breast cancer, while the interventional radiology solution helps achieve superior, real-time images with the ability for dose reduction during interventional fluoroscopy procedures.

Routine mammographic screening is an accepted standard for the early detection of breast cancer. However, as many as one in five tumors are overlooked by the radiologist because the signs on the mammogram may be extremely subtle. With the help of computer-aided detection (CAD) systems, the mammographic image is used to assess a patient with abnormal clinical findings and alert the radiologist to the need for further analysis. A study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that the use of CAD systems significantly improved the detection of breast cancer by increasing radiologist sensitivity by 21.2%.

The Mammo PlusViewCAD is the only product available on the market to provide original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with a configurable and cost-effective mammography viewing workstation with CAD functionality. Mammo PlusViewCAD, which can be set up as a standalone system or integrated with a picture archiving and communication system (PAC), analyzes images, and generates CAD marks to highlight suspicious areas, such as microcalcification clusters and masses. The C-CAD by ContextVision is easily integrated into various PACS systems from other vendors, providing diversified solutions for physicians.

"We are thrilled to launch our newest product innovations, the Mammo PlusViewCAD and the GOPView iRVUltra, to a prestigious audience of radiology professionals and medical imaging equipment manufacturers,” said Anita Tollstadius, CEO of ContextVision. "Mammography images can be difficult to read at times, and radiologists struggle not to overlook breast cancers. The integrated CAD technology in the Mammo PlusViewCAD provides radiologists with a second set of eyes before they make their decision, alerting them to areas that may require more attention and therefore ensuring any abnormalities in breast tissue are evaluated appropriately.”

With the GOPView iRVUltra, ContextVision is once again terraforming diagnostic-imaging space by incorporating a new real-time image enhancement filter. The company's proprietary and complex algorithm is now able to define accurately the movements between the images, frame by frame, pixel by pixel, to find rapidly structures and orientation for interventional procedures in real time and without time gaps. The result is enhanced low-dose images that offer excellent clarity and higher contrast, regardless of the detector solution used.

"Interventional radiologists always look to strike an ideal balance between the required image quality and the radiation dose for any given procedure,” said Anita Tollstadius, CEO of ContextVision. "As a result, they rely heavily on the newest advancements in image quality enhancement and dose-reduction technologies. Generally, it takes an increased dose to enhance the image quality. With the GOPView iRVUltra, radiologists no longer have to compromise, as superior image quality can be achieved despite low-dose images.”

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