Interview – Dr. Karsten Ridder
Radiologist
Prof. Dr. Uhlenbrock and Partners Medical Center
Computed tomography of the female breast is an incredible asset for any radiology practice, because this technology allows us to reach women who have previously stayed away from our practices.
Offtext
Breast computed tomography, also called Mamma-CT, produces high-resolution 3D images of the breast while the patient is lying down. Patients with claustrophobia, breast implants, or pacemakers, in particular, opt for this painless alternative to conventional mammography, which uses compression, or MRI.
Interview – Celine Karmann
User
It felt really good. Since you can lie on your front, I personally found it very comfortable. You don't have to contort yourself, and your breast isn't compressed.
What I definitely really liked was that the exam went by super fast, and since there was no compression, it didn't hurt at all.
The room is nice and spacious, you can lie back and relax on the exam table, and I would definitely recommend it.
Offtext
Radiologist Dr. Karsten Ridder began using the method in 2020. Since then, he has examined thousands of female patients using it.
Interview – Dr. Karsten Ridder
Radiologist
Prof. Dr. Uhlenbrock and Partners Medical Center
We were the first facility in the world that was able to offer this test not in a clinical or hospital setting, but rather the first place that made it accessible to virtually every patient.
Offtext
During the examination, the breast is positioned freely inside a cylinder-like device and scanned in three dimensions from all sides using a low radiation dose. This allows the breast's intricate structures to be visualized in great detail. AI software further enhances the image quality.
Interview – Dr. Marko Frings
Radiologist
Prof. Dr. Uhlenbrock and Partners Medical Center
"Denoising" is a process in which AI automatically processes the images, which benefits patients by reducing radiation exposure while improving image quality. Looking ahead, I believe that AI will enable us to reduce the radiation dose to the level of a mammogram.
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The technology will soon be enhanced with additional features.
Interview – Dr. Marko Frings
Radiologist
Prof. Dr. Uhlenbrock and Partners Medical Center
The device manufacturer is currently planning to launch a biopsy unit that will allow the immediate biopsy of suspicious findings during the examination, enabling a faster diagnosis for women.
Offtext
So far, the cost of the examination has been covered only for privately insured patients. For those paying out of pocket, the examination costs around 400 euros. Dr. Ridder does not currently see the method as a replacement for established screening procedures, but rather as a valuable alternative.
Interview – Dr. Karsten Ridder
Radiologist
Prof. Dr. Uhlenbrock and Partners Medical Center
Mamma-CT is not intended to replace mammography.
These methods have been evaluated. They are safe, and they are proven. But they are not suitable for all women.
Even after 20 years of offering mammography screening, we are reaching a participation rate of only about 60 percent—65 percent in the best-case scenario. That is already a good result.
Nevertheless, we are still missing about 30 to 35 percent of women who, for many reasons, say, "I don't want a mammogram."
I can very well imagine computed tomography becoming established as a complementary examination or as the preferred alternative for women who currently do not feel represented by the existing breast imaging diagnostic framework.
Offtext
According to the Robert Koch Institute, approximately 20,000 women die from breast cancer in Germany every year. Breast CT represents another technological step toward improving early detection and helping to reduce that number.
