False positive for mammography resolved by tomosynthesis

An object on a conventional digital mammogram was highly suspicious for malignancy. The structure was seen in both the MLO and CC views, and persisted on the multiple diagnostic mammograms. The patient underwent biopsy and the structure was benign.

If you look at the corresponding tomosynthesis images, you see nothing malignant. The structure seen in the conventional mammogram was the result of overlapping tissues. Diagnosis was given as superimposed parenchyma.

At another height in the breast, a series of calcifications can be seen in the tomosynthesis cine loop. Because of the 3D nature of the tomosynthesis images, these are known to be within a few millimeters of the skin’s surface.

This image is from a technology that is a work-in-progress and that does not have regulatory approval in certain global markets.