Phase-contrast Digital Breast Tomosynthesis vs phase-contrast breast CT: An image quality phantom study with synchrotron radiation. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mettivier, Giovanni; Bliznakova, Kristina; Buliev, Ivan; Lillo, Francesca Di; Sarno, Antonio; Russo, Paolo
• Is Part Of: Physica medica. Volume 32(2016)Supplement 3
• Page Start: 277
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Medical physics -- Periodicals; Biophysics -- Periodicals; Biophysics -- Periodicals; Imagerie médicale -- Périodiques; Radiothérapie -- Périodiques; Rayons X -- Sécurité -- Mesures -- Périodiques; Physique -- Périodiques; Médecine -- Périodiques; 610.153
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2016.07.612
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1120-1797

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: Digital Mammography is a fundamental technique in breast cancer diagnosis. DM returns a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional object. Therefore, tissues belonging to different planes are all projected on the same X-ray image plane. Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) and Breast Computed Tomography (BCT) are two forms of 3D X-ray breast imaging for diagnostic exam developed to overcome this limitation. Recently, it has been shown that for the generation of the radiographic contrast it is possible to exploit also the information related to the wave phase shift introduced in the propagation of X-rays in matter. Purpose: To compare image quality in monochromatic DBT and BCT scans with propagation based phase contrast imaging of a 3D breast phantom. Materials and methods: The CIRS Model 020 BR3D is used to evaluate the image quality in the two modalities. The standard package consists of 6 slabs of thickness of 1 cm, each slice is produced by tissue equivalent materials in an approximate 50/50 ratio by weight. The central slab of the stack contains assortments of simulated microcalcifications, fibers and masses. The experiment was conducted on the biomedical beamline ID 17 at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. The comparison will be made in terms of noise, contrast, CNR, SNR and spatial resolution, for simulated masses and microcalcifications. Results: First measurements show slightly higher values for CNR and C for masses in CT images than in DBT images. Conclusion: The image quality in DBT and BCT monochromatic images of a 3D breast phantom was evaluated.