Heartbeat: New scanner is a game changer

December 23, 2022

We have become the first Trust in the country to use a pioneering whole breast Automated Breast Ultrasound Scanner (ABUS) within the symptomatic breast service. 

The Invenia ABUS can potentially detect cancer in dense breasts which may be masked in normal mammography due to overlying glandular tissue. 

The CE marked ultrasound technology looks differently at dense breast tissue, providing a comprehensive view of the breast. We are the first to use the ABUS in a symptomatic setting. It has advantages that the equipment can be used by staff not formally trained in ultrasound and reported remotely thus uncoupling the need for a consultant or advanced practitioner to be present in the room. They can then report on the images and perform a focused ultrasound and appropriate biopsies as needed.  

The service plans on using the equipment to potentially free up valuable consultant time. Potential additional uses include monitoring lesion response to chemotherapy, proving multifocality at the first visit, reducing need for further imaging such as MRI and repeat attendances. The service hope that it will help to eventually increase our clinic capacity by allowing a larger volume of the ABUS examinations to be reported for lower risk patients. 

Syeda Alam Breast Imaging Programme Manager, said: “The service has implemented the ABUS within the symptomatic rapid access clinics with a view to assessing whether capacity can be increased for the growing number of referrals through innovatively using mammographers and assistant practitioners to undertake the scan ready for the consultants to report.” 

An audit is being undertaken to explore potential protocols to help optimise the clinic pathway and evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the procedure.