Agfa DR Mammo Retrofit Case Study: Inmunomédica Medical Center, Chile

After 10 years of using CR for mammography, Inmunomédica Medical Center in Concepción, Chile, was looking to migrate to DR. Instead of purchasing a complete DR mammography system, Agfa proposed a hands-on trial of the DR Mammo Retrofit. The trial results in productivity, image quality and dose reduction led the center to adopt the technology permanently. The center was the first customer of Agfa's DR Mammo Retrofit in Latin America.

Highlights

• DR Mammo Retrofit fits dedicated mammography flat panel detectors into the standard bucky of existing units, and only a modality alignment is required.
• A 30-second cycle time and up to 120 images per hour, compared with 48 images per hour with CR
• Image preview in 3 seconds instead of about 1 minute with CR
• Immediate image availability, MUSICA processing, excellent contrast and lower radiation dose
• Phantom tests and comparison with images from the previous system confirmed the required image quality.
• The center was able to offer patients the benefits of better technology without increasing their costs.

Trial and implementation

According to Dr. Claudia Merino Pohl, the center's head mammography radiologist, a collaboration of more than 15 years with Agfa led them to accept the offer of a hands-on trial. Installation was quick, and an Agfa specialist adjusted all image parameters. Soledad Martinez, a technologist at the center, says the productivity improvement was visible immediately: the technologist does not need to leave the room to check the image, and MUSICA almost eliminates the need for post-acquisition editing.

To verify image quality, the center performed phantom tests and compared DR Retrofit images with images from the previous system for patients with annual examinations, including patients with microcalcifications. Once the results were confirmed, the DR Mammo Retrofit was chosen as a cost-effective alternative to purchasing a complete DR mammography system.

Patient and staff experience

A screening mammography examination takes about 10 minutes and requires four patient positionings. A shorter examination increases both productivity and patient comfort, and technologists have more time to attend to the patient. Working with the new system is simpler and less error-prone than with the previous CR. Staff also rated Agfa's implementation and training process very highly.

Agfa solution: DR Mammo Retrofit with 24M detector

• Cost-effective upgrade to DR mammography while preserving previous investments
• 3-second preview and 30-second cycle time for up to 120 images per hour
• MUSICA Nerve Center workstation with quality control tools and touch screen
• MUSICA3 software dedicated to DR mammography with excellent contrast and dose reduction potential
• Dedicated 24M mammography flat panel detector, suited to the standard 24x30 bucky
• Detector absorption compatible with the AEC of mammography units, for use with almost all systems