About this Program

Until breast cancer is defeated, you can make a difference through screening!

This program provides an overview of the Digital Breast Tomography (DBT) modality and provides Hands-On breast tomosynthesis training for Imaging Physicists or Technologists to understand and perform the annual quality control required by the FDA's Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR). Participants will be able to identify and discuss the differences between DBT and Full-Field Digital Mammography (FFDM) modalities and to operate at least one manufacturer's unit. Participants will also be trained to conduct the mandatory annual quality control testing for DBT units.

This breast tomosynthesis course includes over 8 hours of training on DBT, 3 hours on stereotactic breast biopsy and covers the unique features of the FDA-approved Digital Breast Tomosynthesis systems.  The hands-on breast tomosynthesis training will include the DBT manufacturer-specific QC (Hologic breast tomosynthesis training - hands-on & other manufacturers - didactic), the ACR quality control programs and performance testing for stereotactic add-on systems.

Breast Tomosynthesis Continuing Education: Credits & Certification

Those interested in fulfilling CE requirements, such as CAMPEP credits or another related CE area, can pursue fulfillment through this breast tomosynthesis training course. Additionally, those interested in achieving certification in digital mammography can visit ARRT.

This program is endorsed by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM).

 

Educational Objectives

After this breast tomosynthesis training course, attendees will be able to:

  • Identify and discuss DBT units used in mammography 
  • Identify and discuss the quality control testing for DBT units 
  • Explain the differences between MQSA and ACR quality control testing 
  • Understand how DBT mammography is used for patient care and the benefits 

 

~ AAPM endorses the educational component of this program. ~
It does not, however, endorse any 
product used or referred to in the program.

Schedule

What this course will cover

Day One - ThursdayAgenda is subject to change
7:30 amRegistration 
8:00 am

System Design & Design

  • Principles of DBT Mammography Systems
  • Currently approved units in the US
    • Hologic, GE, Siemens and Fuji
  • Design Differences of DBT Units
  • Q & A 
10:00 amInformal Discussion and Break
10:15 am

Quality Control Review

  • Manufacturers QC
    • Hologic, GE, Stereotactic Add On Unit, Fuji and Siemens
  • ACR QC
  • Q & A
11:15 am

Mammography Modalities Overview

  • FFDM/DBT
  • CESM (Contrast Enhanced Spectral Mammography)
  • MBI (Molecular Breast Imaging)
  • PEM (Positron Emission Mammography)
  • Breast MRI
  • Breast Ultrasound (Quasistatic elastography vs. Shear Wave)
  • Stereotactic Biopsy

Mammography Practice Perspectives                                                                   

  • Patient Imaging Process Flow
  • Types of Views and Benefits/Drawbacks
  • ACR Submission Notes
12:15 pmLunch (provided)
 Two Hands-On Labs will run simultaneously (TEAM A & TEAM B) – Students will rotate
1:00 pmLab Session 1 - Unit Overview and Operation
TEAM A - Other Manufacturers (Lecture)
TEAM B - Hologic Dimensions (Hands-on)
3:00 pmInformal Discussion & Break
3:15 pmLab Session 2 - Unit Overview and Operation (teams switch)
TEAM B - Other Manufacturers (Lecture) 
TEAM A - Hologic Dimensions (Hands-on)
5:15 pmReview and Q & A
5:45 pmAdjourn for the Day
Day Two - Friday 
7:50 amWelcome
8:00 amLab Session 1 - QC Measurements
TEAM A - Other Manufacturers (Lecture)
TEAM B - Hologic Dimensions (Hands-on)
 
10:00 amInformal Discussion & Break
10:15 amLab Session 2 - QC Measurements (teams switch)
TEAM B - Other Manufacturers (Lecture)
TEAM A - Hologic Dimensions (Hands-on)
 
12:15 pmReview and Q & A
12:45 pmAdjourn Course
Hands-on  Lab Sessions

Thursday LAB Subject Matter Coverage

  • Performance Characteristics
  • System Components 
  • General Operation of the Unit
  • Logging On
  • Use of accessories

Friday LAB Subject Matter Coverage

  • Quality Control Measurements (Mfr.)
  • Quality Control Measurements (ACR)
  • Stereotactic Add-on Operation
  • RWS Measurements

Audience

Who should attend?

This hands-on training is designed for medical physicists to satisfy the 8 hour training required by MQSA for DBT units before performing surveys and QC and 3 hours of Stereotactic credit.  Others interested in obtaining this training would include medical physics graduate students and residents, physics assistants, technologists, state and federal mammography facility inspectors and others.

Workshop Format:
This DBT workshop is comprised of didactic lecture and hands-on workshops.  Attendees will be assigned to small groups and rotate through the hands-on labs.  

 

Program Faculty

Meet your presenter(s)

James M. O'Brien Jr.

James M. O'Brien Jr.

MMSc, DABR

Jim has been in the medical physics career field for over 35 years after graduating from Emory University with a Masters in Medical Science.  He has held many roles in medical and health physics including, corporate leader, daily imaging physicist, consultant, radiation safety officer, radio-analytical lab manager, secondary radiation calibration lab manager, and Air Force Captain. 

Jim was one of the first physicists to be trained in DBT back in 2011, and he delights in teaching students about this modalitiy.

His current passion is leading the Advanced Applications Group at Fluke Health Solutions and working to reduce patient dose while improving image quality for CT and Fluoroscopy.

He is a member of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine and the Health Physics Society.

Katie Hulme

MS

Diagnostic Physicist
Diagnostic Radiology
The Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, OH

Credits

Accredited training programs

CAMPEP pending

This program is designed to provide 12 hours of continuing education. The program has been submitted for approval by CAMPEP for Medical Physics Continuing Education Credit (MPCEC) for qualified medical physicists.

ASRT Category A Credit Information

ASRT Category A

This program provides 15.5 hour(s) of Category A continuing education credit for radiologic technologists approved by ASRT and recognized by the ARRT and various licensure states. Category A credit is also recognized for CE credit in Canada. You must attend the entire program to receive your certificate of completion.  

Tuition

Convenient payment options available

AudiencePriceEarly PriceMember PriceMember Early Price
Physicist$1,165.00$1,070.00$1,120.00$1,025.00
Technologist$879.00$829.00$849.00$809.00

Learn about membership


Early Pricing Guidelines

Qualifying 'Early' registrations must be made at least 21 days in advance for the program.


Cancellation Policy

“Hands-On” Courses

Refunds, minus a $50 processing fee, will be granted for cancellations received prior to 10 days before the program. Cancellations received within 10 days of the program will receive a credit toward a future MTMI program, minus the $50 processing fee. No refunds will be made after the program starts. MTMI reserves the right to cancel any scheduled program because of low advance registration or other reasons. MTMI’s liability is limited to a refund of any program tuition paid. MTMI recommends that attendees use refundable airline tickets. In case of cancellation of a program for any reason, MTMI is not responsible for travel costs incurred by attendees including non-refundable airline tickets.