Purpose:
to investigate the correlation of electroimpedance mammography findings with mammography as a screening modality.
Methods:
In this study 271 subjects who have been attended to Imam Khomeini hospital for screening MG, were enrolled. After screening MG and filling a written consent, patients undergone EIM for both breasts using the specific scanner (MEIK5.6, PKF SIM-Technika). EIM scans were interpreted by a specialist with 10 years of experience in reporting EIM scans. BI-RADS score and breast composition was determined in both modalities. Obtained results from MG and EIM scan were compared to find out their correlation. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS.
Results:
Breast conductivity of subjects were compared to the expected range according to their age. Figure1 represents the age-related electric conductivity range of the mammary gland. 84% of the subjects fell within the expected breast conductivity range (CI;5%- 95%). 9% of the subjects showed lower conductivity (<5%) and 5% of the subjects fell over the expected conductivity (>95%). Descriptive assessment of breast composition via MG and EIM is reported in table 1. After excluding missing data, MG found the breast type c (heterogeneously dense) as the most common breast composition (53%), whereas EIM reported the breast type b (scattered area of fibro-glandular density) as the most common type (81.1%). Same comparison about the reported BI-RADS in both modalities showed that both modalities report the BI-RADS score 2 (benign changes) as the most common dedicated score (MG: 60%, EIM: 50%). Using Kendal test, results represent a statistically significant (p<0.05) monotonous behaver in both modalities in breast composition recognition and determining BI-RADS score.
conclusion:
This study shows that EIM gives statistically significant results, correlated to MG. Electroimpedance MG evaluates the breast’s conductivity using the voltage passing through the tissue between the electrode and the scanner. The promising findings of EIM as a safe, adjunct modality should be considered in breast cancer screening programs since EIM could overcome the limitations of MG in dense breasts or the risk of ionizing radiation; furthermore, the device is cost-benefit and safe and could reduce the cost of cancer prevention and treatment across the country.