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Mammo Modality Face-Off, AI Patient Disclosure, and NTAP Billing
July 2, 2026
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Together with
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“When we ask ourselves whether AI will ‘take over’ our work, the real risk might not be the technology itself, but our potential absence from the driver’s seat, or [maybe] not being in the bus at all.”
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Cardiothoracic radiologist Firdaus Mohamed Hoesein, MD, PhD, commenting on a radiology AI study without any radiologist co-authors.
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Consolidation among medical imaging providers is creating challenges when it comes to managing and integrating image data from diverse sources. In this edition of The Imaging Wire Show, I talked to Michael Sistenich, CEO of Enlitic, and Shayne Hunter, chief digital officer at RHCNZ Medical Imaging Group, about technologies they are leveraging to smooth the transition. – Brian Casey, Managing Editor
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When it comes to early breast cancer detection, which medical imaging modality is best: full-field digital mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis, or breast MRI? A new study in Clinical Radiology picks winners – and brings the receipts.
Breast imagers are fortunate to have many technologies at their disposal, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
- X-ray-based mammography tools like FFDM and DBT are easily available and relatively low cost, while breast MRI delivers the highest resolution but is expensive, less available, and more time-intensive to perform.
So when does it make sense to use each modality? Researchers from China tested four techniques – FFDM, DBT, and breast MRI at 1.5T with accelerated and full protocols – in 329 patients with early-stage breast cancer (maximum tumor diameter ≤ 2 cm).
- They also analyzed results according to breast tissue density, as dense breast tissue is not only a cancer risk factor but can also obscure lesions on X-ray-based modalities.
Across the study sample, researchers found…
- There was little difference in sensitivity between the four techniques for women with non-dense breast tissue, with FFDM, DBT, and accelerated breast MRI achieving 91% compared to 94% for full-protocol breast MRI.
- But breast MRI pulled ahead in sensitivity for women with dense breast tissue, both with accelerated and full protocols (95% and 94%) beating DBT and FFDM (90% and 83%).
- Accelerated breast MRI had performance comparable to the full protocol regardless of breast density, but at almost half the median scan time (8 vs. 15 minutes).
- Accelerated and full-protocol breast MRI had the same specificity (94%), ahead of both DBT and FFDM (88% and 83%).
What to make of the results? Researchers said the findings in women with non-dense breast tissue reinforce that X-ray-based modalities are sufficient.
- For women with dense breast tissue, accelerated breast MRI offers performance close enough to the full protocol that breast imaging practices can feel comfortable offering the faster exam.
The Takeaway
It’s no surprise that breast MRI beat both FFDM and DBT mammography for early breast cancer detection in women with dense breast tissue. But it is intriguing that there wasn’t much difference between breast MRI with either accelerated or full protocols. That’s good news for practices that want to make this powerful modality accessible to more women.
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The Modern Way to Send and Receive Medical Images
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How to Choose Between Tableside and Remote Fluoroscopy
Need help deciding whether tableside or universal remote fluoroscopy is right for you? This whitepaper from Siemens Healthineers may be able to put things in perspective.
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A New Solution for Radiology Reporting
Sectra Reporting delivers a fully built-in, AI-enhanced reporting experience that seamlessly connects PACS imaging data and measurements through intuitive templates. Discover how it can meet your needs today.
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- Should AI Use Be Disclosed to Patients? Should imaging facilities tell patients if radiologists used AI to help interpret their scans? Patients seem to think so, based on a study published this week in Radiology. Researchers from Ireland surveyed 1k patients, finding that 96% thought patients should be informed of AI use. In all, 53% wanted written consent and 34% preferred verbal consent. If an AI-supported radiologist provided an incorrect diagnosis, 64% would blame both the radiologist and the AI tool.
- AI Billing Under NTAP Is Uneven: Medicare’s New Technology Add-On Payment program was touted as a way for healthcare providers to get paid for using AI, but billing under NTAP has been inconsistent. That’s according to a new study in American Journal of Neuroradiology by the ACR’s Neiman HPI group that found that NTAP billing for using AI for detecting large vessel occlusion for acute ischemic stroke peaked in 2022 at 21% of episodes, but then fell as the temporary NTAP code expired. NTAP use was more common at comprehensive stroke centers and facilities in the Stroke Belt.
- Nanox Issues ‘Going Concern’ Warning: Digital X-ray developer Nanox issued a “going concern” warning about its financial viability in a recent SEC filing. The company develops cold-cathode X-ray tube technology incorporated into the Nanox.ARC multisource X-ray tomosynthesis scanner, but commercial sales have been slow, and management “has concluded that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern” without additional financing. Nanox reported $66.8M in current assets in its most recent financial report, but also an annual net loss of $75M.
- Why Can’t Hospitals Ditch the Disc? The transfer of medical images on physical CDs stands out in a world of AI agents and cloud-based platforms, but many hospitals don’t plan to pitch the plastic anytime soon. A new Academic Radiology article surveyed 50 institutions and found that none had completely done away with CDs and only 12% were actively phasing them out. The authors note that the concern with CDs isn’t just that they’re inefficient, but that they may sacrifice accessibility and data security.
- Siemens Gets CEM Clearance: Siemens Healthineers received FDA clearance to market new contrast-enhanced mammography capabilities on its Mammomat B.brilliant digital mammography system. The clearance applies to Siemens’ ClearCEM image reconstruction technique, which features algorithms for suppressing noise and generating a more uniform background to help radiologists better identify breast lesions. The clearance also includes CEM-guided biopsy on B.brilliant. CEM is typically used as an adjunct technique to work up suspicious findings detected on screening mammography.
- AAPI Breast Cancer Rates Rise: A new JAMA Network Open study revealed a disproportionate rise in breast cancer rates among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) populations. Data from 148.6k women showed early-onset (<50 years old) rates have particularly grown, increasing 2.9% annually from 2000 to 2022. The increasing frequency of aggressive cancer subtypes, including HR-negative/ERBB2-positive and triple-negative diseases, is especially alarming, and the authors recommend amplified screening and outreach efforts to mitigate ongoing disparities.
- Food Insecurity and Cancer Screening: In another study on cancer screening disparities, researchers writing in JAMA Network Open found that people experiencing food insecurity had lower screening rates for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer. In a dataset of 251.1k people, women reporting food insecurity had lower breast cancer screening rates compared to those who didn’t (61% vs. 73%). Also, women receiving federal SNAP supplemental food benefits had lower adjusted odds for undergoing screening (aOR = 0.69).
- Minimal Risk for Interventional Radiologists: New research in Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging adds to evidence that interventional radiologists are generally exposed to occupational radiation far below annual dose limits. The study examined dosimeter readings for 138 radiologists across 11 centers in France. None of the doctors exceeded whole-body or extremity dose limits, and only two crossed into the danger zone for eye lens exposure. The findings track with a recent Finnish study that found negligible whole-body and eye lens exposure among most radiologists during CT-guided procedures.
- FDA Clears 2D-to-3D X-ray Tech: Pulmera’s CBeam, which converts 2D fluoroscopic C-arms into 3D imaging devices, has gained 510(k) clearance from the FDA after eight years of development. Using a position sensor attached to the C-arm, the system captures a series of X-ray images and transforms them into a 3D dataset. The company is now looking ahead to pilots and early commercialization with the goal of bringing advanced intraoperative imaging to hospitals that struggle to afford traditional equipment.
- Reporting Fuels Follow-Ups: A new Respiratory Medicine study suggests bolstered reporting of significant incidental findings and post-visit recommendations could greatly improve patient follow-up after lung cancer screenings. Data from 296 patients who underwent low-dose CT screening showed that nearly 85% had at least one significant incidental finding, and that reporting these in the impression section and giving management plans for each led to 4X higher follow-up rates. Still, the authors note that varying guidelines and classifications make knowing exactly what to report a challenge.
- Fujifilm Inks IAEA Partnership for Cancer Care: Fujifilm signed an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency to leverage medical imaging technology for earlier cancer detection, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Fujifilm will participate in IAEA’s Rays of Hope program to implement education and training programs for healthcare professionals and to provide its medical equipment and software.
- Can Ultrasound Read Minds? Research lab Aleph Neuro is pursuing a “telepathic future” where imaging reads minds by mapping blood flow tied to neuron activation. Marking an early step toward its goal, the team released an incredibly detailed neurovascular ultrasound image acquired with technology it’s developing with Butterfly Network (which is also collaborating on Midjourney’s medical imaging spa concept). Butterfly is supplying the ultrasound, while Aleph Neuro is building the brain-computer interface. Taking a more near-term view, the system could be used to better detect strokes, dementia, and TBI.
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New-Generation Platform for Managing Multi-Omics Data
QP-Insights from Quibim is a new-generation advanced platform for the management, storage, and analysis of large-scale multi-omics data and medical images for clinical studies and research projects. Learn more on this page.
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Radiology Automation Simplified
CARPL is an enterprise-grade radiology AI validation and deployment platform with 250+ AI applications across 85+ AI vendors that empowers healthcare providers to access, assess, and securely integrate imaging AI in their practice. Book a demo today.
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Purpose-Built for Modern Radiology
MosaicOS from Mosaic Clinical Technologies unites clinical expertise, AI, and advanced workflow tools in one intuitive platform. Find out how it can expand your clinical capacity and speed up turnaround times today.
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- AI-Powered Population Health: DeepHealth is assembling radiology’s largest portfolio of AI-enabled radiology solutions for population health. Learn more about their focus and their recent acquisition of Gleamer in this video interview.
- Unified Imaging Access for Modern Healthcare: Enable clinicians with fast, secure access to diagnostic imaging across facilities, specialties, and systems with eUnity from Mach7 Technologies.
- Accelerating Care Today for More Tomorrows: GE HealthCare empowers precision care with innovative imaging, patient management solutions, and tailored consulting services for every step of the theranostics pathway. Learn more about theranostics on this page from GE HealthCare.
- Don’t Just Rip & Replace: Rethink your Reporting Approach: Replacing legacy tech is easy; managing human change is the hard part. Learn how Yale, Emory, and Radiologic Associates of Fredericksburg mastered the transition with Rad AI. Secure your spot for a July 21 webinar on seamless change management.
- Staying Competitive with New Technology: Nashville General Hospital aimed to enhance their CT and mammography systems to remain competitive, and Fujifilm stood out as the right fit. Learn how they boosted efficiency with Fujifilm’s Scenaria View CT scanner and ASPIRE Cristalle mammography system.
- A Breakthrough in Imaging Data Standardization: Enlitic’s Ensight 2.2 is a breakthrough in imaging data standardization that gives health systems a clearer, more detailed understanding of imaging data, accelerating the path from implementation to impact. Find out what it can do for you today.
- One Viewer for All: Achieve ultrafast image interpretation with greater efficiency and precision with Visage 7 from Visage Imaging. Visage’s one-viewer philosophy enables all end users – from radiologists to clinicians – to access powerful tools based on clinical need.
- Shifting the Stage in Lung Cancer Screening: Watch this video from Riverain Technologies to learn how their ClearRead CT solution for lung cancer screening can drive enrollment, earlier detection, and seamless management of incidental findings.
- Redefining Breast Imaging in the Enterprise Era: As breast imaging grows more complex, radiology teams need more than siloed tools. Watch this on-demand webinar hosted by AGFA HealthCare about transforming breast imaging workflows in the enterprise imaging era.
- The Leader in Molecular Imaging: United Imaging’s uMI portfolio of solutions is designed to help you lead the way in molecular imaging. From digital PET/CT systems designed to stand the test of time to the cutting-edge uEXPLORER total-body PET scanner, discover the uMI difference today.
- See Your One-Year Return in 30 Seconds: What’s the return on investment for echo AI? Check out this online calculator from Us2.ai to find out how much capacity AI adds, the additional echo scans that capacity buys you, and the net new revenue.
- Fewer Biopsies, Better Accuracy: AI is converging with TI-RADS and BI-RADS in ways that go beyond automation. Read this article from Kailo Medical to learn how structured reporting is reducing unnecessary biopsies, improving consistency, and reclaiming clinical time.
- Reimagining Cloud-Native Cardiology Workflow: Find out how Intelerad’s next-generation cloud-based InteleHeart solution delivers an all-in-one cardiology platform that unifies viewing, reporting, analytics, and workflow orchestration.
- Would You Trust a Chatbot to Educate Your Patients? Scanslated provides patient education powered by real human intelligence – not AI. Scanslated’s interactive reports use unique, patient-centered explanations written by board-certified physicians specifically for a patient audience. Learn how Scanslated can benefit your patients today.
- Can You Meet Conditional MRI Requirements? How confident are you that your MR practice can meet the MR Conditional requirements? Philips has developed ScanWise Implant to simplify scanning patients with MR Conditional implants. Learn more on this page.
- Next-Generation DICOM SR Workflow Engine Messaging: The accelerating adoption of AI-powered radiology reporting has propelled replacement of legacy speech recognition integration technology. Discover how Altamont Software’s Passport SR can help you manage the shift with a modern DICOM SR engine.
- Scaling Innovation in Radiology: In this episode of Medality’s The Radiology Report Podcast, host Daniel Arnold sat down with Subtle Medical CEO Ohad Arazi to discuss evolution of radiology AI and why improving image acquisition is an impactful way to improve patient care.
- 8 Ways Merge Supports Enterprise Imaging Providers: Merge enterprise imaging solutions deliver measurable value to imaging providers through continued innovation, thoughtful design, and flexible deployment. Request a demo today to see them in action.
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