US-based VuCOMP has announced today that it has released an updated version of its M-Vu breast density, M-Vu Breast Density 2.0.
The new M-Vu Breast Density 2.0 adds a critical dimension to the analysis of dense breast tissue. The VuCOMP density category, analogous to the BI-RADS breast density composition category, is now correlated to not only the amount, but also the distribution – the actual dispersion – of fibroglandular tissue.
M-Vu Breast Density automatically and rapidly assesses breast density and provides consistent and accurate measurements. The tool evaluates mammograms in much the same manner as experienced radiologists do: by analyzing the structure, texture and dispersion of the tissue, rather than simply estimating total fibroglandular volume.
To ensure product effectiveness, the findings of a panel of 13 expert radiologists were used to calibrate the VuCOMP density categories to the American College of Radiology’s Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) standard.
The M-Vu algorithms quantify areas with a dense appearance which could hide cancer and convert this to categories corresponding to the recently updated standard. This exclusive approach using appearance-based texture and dispersion analysis provides useful adjunctive information.
M-Vu Breast Density is the only commercially available, FDA-cleared system that employs this scientific methodology.
Clinical studies have shown that dense breasts can hide a cancerous lesion by reducing the ability to visualize fine structures and details that could indicate a malignant abnormality, making breast cancer detection in a mammogram more difficult.
VuCOMP president Jim Pike noted that the company understands that breast density measurement is deeper than just an analysis of volume.
"We are dedicated to continual improvements in the science of automated density and believe that radiologists will recognize the clinical utility of this tool to be even more useful to their practice than before. We are very pleased that all existing M-Vu Breast Density users will have this important product enhancement available immediately," Pike added.
In addition to M-Vu Breast Density, clinics around the world are using the company’s M-Vu Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) for mammography. M-Vu CAD analyzes mammograms to mark areas consistent with breast cancer using sophisticated mathematical algorithms.