Background Information/Purpose:  

Cone beam breast CT (CBCT) is a dedicated breast imaging system which utilizes cone beam computed tomography to provide true isotropic 3D images of the breast for diagnostic imaging. Currently the only CBCT approved by the FDA is the Koning Breast CT in West Henrietta, NY, approved in 2015.  Named cone beam due to the large cone angle x-ray beam that enables the full breast to be imaged in each acquired image. The xray tube and detector rotate around the breast and acquire 300 low dose projection images in 10 seconds to create a 3D image of the breast without compression.  

 The purpose of this education exhibit is to teach the learner the technique of CBCT and current indications. After taking part in this exhibition the learner will be able to compare the standard imaging modalities including mammogram, tomosynthesis, ultrasound and MR to CBCT.  Multimodality assessment of pathology will ultimately define the benefits and drawbacks of each imaging modality used in diagnostic breast imaging.  

Education Goals/Teaching Points:  

After participating in this educational presentation, the learner will be familiar with: 1) What cone beam breast CT (CBCT) is and how it works 2) Role of CBCT 3) Comparison of CBCT with standard imaging modality 4) CBCT Correlation with pathology 

Conclusion:  

Although breast CT is not a new technique its use in breast imaging is novel.  Multimodality imaging is important to explore in every field of radiology as differences in modalities allow for discovering new ways to diagnose subtle pathology which can help clinicians guide management. After participating in this educational exhibit, the learner will be fully immersed in CBCT imaging understanding how it compares to standard imaging modalities and how pathology is diagnosed using CBCT.

Dedicated Cone Beam Breast CT, Why Now?