Agfa DX-M Case Study: Centre d'Imagerie Médicale Intilaka, Tunisia

In this interview, Dr. Rihab Attaoui, radiologist and breast imaging specialist at the Centre d'Imagerie Médicale Intilaka in Tunisia, talks about the importance of early breast cancer detection and the center's five years of experience with Agfa DX-M, a computed radiography (CR) solution with needle-based detectors that delivers the image quality required for mammography.

Highlights

• The Intilaka center has used Agfa DX-M for mammography for five years.
• For a small radiology center, DX-M has been a cost-effective solution with no compromise on image quality.
• Needle-based plates and MUSICA processing deliver high-quality images without the need to change window-level.
• The high DQE of DX-M needle-based plates ensures that patient images are not overexposed.
• Combined with the DRYSTAR AXYS printer, it makes subtle masses and microcalcifications easier to detect.

DX-M features mentioned in the report

• Compact system with excellent image quality
• Very fine 50 µm pixel pitch for mammography and general radiography
• High throughput with a five-cassette drop-and-go buffer
• Very fast preview
• First-time-right mammography images

The importance of early detection

According to Dr. Attaoui, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. Survival rates can reach 80 to 90% in wealthy countries, while in disadvantaged countries they may be as low as 20%. Lack of access to screening and early treatment means many patients are diagnosed at advanced stages, and the Covid-19 pandemic has also reduced patient visits.

Working with the Ministry of Health, she and her colleagues travel with a multidisciplinary team of gynecologists, oncologists, radiologists, nurses and midwives to villages and underserved areas to provide free diagnosis and treatment. Education on breast self-examination, healthy lifestyle, and outreach through media and social networks are another part of this effort.

Experience with DX-M

Dr. Attaoui considers DX-M a transformation for her center: a convenient, easy and very fast solution that, with needle-based plates and MUSICA processing, delivers high-quality results and produces images right the first time. According to her, in combination with the DRYSTAR AXYS printer, every detail is visible to the physician.