The Breast Imaging & Ancillary Studies for Diagnosis continuing education course covers these advancements, including imaging, biopsy methods, and new methods of detection. The past decade has seen a dramatic improvement in detection and treatment and a mammogram technologist must be knowledgeable about new technology and eager to adopt new techniques. Having a better understanding of how far imaging and diagnostics have come also makes the mammographer a better source of care and support for patients.
This course consists of self-guided material, including photographs, mammography images, side-by-side comparisons, diagrams, and tables to reinforce the covered topics.
A wide variety of subjects are covered, starting with a history of breast cancer detection going back as far as the early 1900s through the FDA approved units in use today. Other topics covered include full-field digital mammography, the Digital Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial, direct radiography versus computed radiography, digital breast tomosynthesis, and state-of-the-art mammography systems from GE, Hologic, Siemens, and FujiFilm Medical Systems.
Computer-aided detection for mammography, ultrasound, and tissue echogenicity are also covered, including specific subjects like how to position a patient for an ultrasound, ultrasound scanning patterns, and an overview of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System ultrasound lexicon. Other topics in this course include breast MRIs, sentinel lymph node biopsy and lymphatic mapping, molecular breast imaging, PET scans, PET/CT, PEM/breast PET scan, thermography, contrast-enhanced spectral mammography, and ductography/galactography.
This course provides 2.5 CE learning credits and includes an online multiple-choice 20 question exam.