The Siemens ACUSON S2000™ Automated Breast Volume Scanner (ABVS) is one of the first automated ultrasound systems developed to improve clinical workflow and take the operator dependence and variability out of ultrasound. It is ideally suited for patients with dense breast tissue or a history of breast disease. Frank Stoeblen, MD, of the diavero Breast Care Center in Essen, Germany, is one of the early adopters of this new technique.

Mammography does have its limitations, especially in women with dense breast tissue. How do you assess the role of ultrasound for these women?

STOEBLEN: For one, dense breast tissue increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer considerably. Secondly, it makes the radiographic detection of small lesions more difficult – so we are actually faced with a dual challenge. This is why I always consider ultrasound as a meaningful adjunct to mammography when I have a patient with dense breasts.

Where do you see the role of automated breast volume scanning?

STOEBLEN: I believe that this technique will play an important role in early detection. Patients with suspicious findings on mammography would automatically undergo automated breast ultrasound to better select further diagnostic procedures that might deliver additional information.

Volume imaging allows the unique coronal view of the breast. How important is this in your daily work?

STOEBLEN: I am trained both in radiology and in surgery. This is why I can estimate the value of the coronal view, which has not been available using conventional ultrasound. It allows a surgical view of the breast, allowing the physician to go through the breast slice by slice, from the nipple all the way down to the chest wall. This is why it provides a more comprehensive and easily understandable representation of the global anatomy and architecture of the breast. The coronal view is extremely helpful in surgical planning, in pre-operative, interdisciplinary councils of an intervention.

You have had the ACUSON S2000 ABVS in clinical use for some time now. What’s your assessment so far?

STOEBLEN: I have noticed a great improvement in image quality. The concept of integrating the flexible arm construction to hold the transducer pod to design a multi-use system is very convincing. It allows us to use the examination room for other ultrasound examinations as well. If I need to perform a biopsy, I can do that right away with the same system. Another factor is, of course, reimbursement. Having the opportunity to expand the application versatility of our current systems with automated breast volume ultrasound is ideal from an economical point of view.