The need to be all inclusive: Chest CT scans should include imaged breast parenchyma

Abstract

The benefits of early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer are well established. Thoracic CT which is performed with increased frequency for lung cancer screening can diagnose breast cancer earlier then might be possible clinically. The imaged and radiation exposed breasts must be included in their entirety on images which are reviewed by the radiologist. Because of concerns about how altering the field of view might affect image quality, we advocate for inclusion of the entire breast on the soft tissue series, which can be viewed on mediastinal window settings and expose the patient to no additional radiation.

Keywords: Breast; Chest CT; Protocol.