Novel techniques in breast imaging: evaluation of diagnostic efficacy

Of the human organs, few have been subjected to the implementation of new techniques improving diagnostic efficacy to the extent that the female breast has. It all started with the introduction of mammography decades ago, followed by ultrasonography, different nuclear medicine techniques, and then magnetic resonance tomography. Even computed tomography has played a role in this succession of different modalities. Light in different forms has also been used in the investigation of breast tumors. Currently under development are several methods based on the detection of electrophysiological properties. Whereas one of these methods is founded on differences in the electrical potential at skin level caused by neoplastic activity, others are based on measurements of the conductivity and capacitance of different tissues using multiple frequencies of alternating electric current. In this issue of Acta Radiologica, Botond K.