Anisotropic imaging performance in breast tomosynthesis

Badano, Aldo; Kyprianou, Iacovos S.; Jennings, Robert J.; Sempau, J.

doi:10.1118/1.2779943

Cited by 36 publications

(40 citation statements)

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“…In future work, we can improve the detector model by incorporating energy-, depth-, and angle-dependent information. [59][60][61][62] As the simulations grow faster and more efficient, it should also become practical to investigate polyenergetic source models and scatter models that incorporate the effects of nonuniform phantoms. More realistic physics models combined with computationally efficient model observers can lead to faster and more accurate assessment of image quality in DBT.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A virtual trial framework for quantifying the detectability of masses in breast tomosynthesis projection data

et al. 2013

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Purpose: Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is a promising breast cancer screening tool that has already begun making inroads into clinical practice. However, there is ongoing debate over how to quantitatively evaluate and optimize these systems, because different definitions of image quality can lead to different optimal design strategies. Powerful and accurate tools are desired to extend our understanding of DBT system optimization and validate published design principles. Methods: The authors developed a virtual trial framework for task-specific DBT assessment that uses digital phantoms, open-source x-ray transport codes, and a projection-space, spatial-domain observer model for quantitative system evaluation. The authors considered evaluation of reconstruction algorithms as a separate problem and focused on the information content in the raw, unfiltered projection images. Specifically, the authors investigated the effects of scan angle and number of angular projections on detectability of a small (3 mm diameter) signal embedded in randomly-varying anatomical backgrounds. Detectability was measured by the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC). Experiments were repeated for three test cases where the detectability-limiting factor was anatomical variability, quantum noise, or electronic noise. The authors also juxtaposed the virtual trial framework with other published studies to illustrate its advantages and disadvantages. Results: The large number of variables in a virtual DBT study make it difficult to directly compare different authors' results, so each result must be interpreted within the context of the specific virtual trial framework. The following results apply to 25% density phantoms with 5.15 cm compressed thickness and 500 μm 3 voxels (larger 500 μm 2 detector pixels were used to avoid voxel-edge artifacts): 1. For raw, unfiltered projection images in the anatomical-variability-limited regime, AUC appeared to remain constant or increase slightly with scan angle. 2. In the same regime, when the authors fixed the scan angle, AUC increased asymptotically with the number of projections. The threshold number of projections for asymptotic AUC performance depended on the scan angle. In the quantum-and electronic-noise dominant regimes, AUC behaviors as a function of scan angle and number of projections sometimes differed from the anatomy-limited regime. For example, with a fixed scan angle, AUC generally decreased with the number of projections in the electronic-noise dominant regime. These results are intended to demonstrate the capabilities of the virtual trial framework, not to be used as optimization rules for DBT. Conclusions:The authors have demonstrated a novel simulation framework and tools for evaluating DBT systems in an objective, task-specific manner. This framework facilitates further investigation of image quality tradeoffs in DBT.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A virtual trial framework for quantifying the detectability of masses in breast tomosynthesis projection data

et al. 2013

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“…In the stationary detector geometry (Fig 1, B and C), the thickness of the detector assembly can be minimal and may allow for improvement in patient positioning. Oblique x-ray incidence on the detector at large x-ray source angles can reduce spatial resolution in acquired projections (35,36). While it is possible to model this effect (37)(38)(39), it is unclear if corrections, either by processing the projections prior to reconstruction or as part of the reconstruction process, have been implemented.…”

Section: Imaging Geometrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital Breast Tomosynthesis: State of the Art

et al. 2015

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This topical review on digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is provided with the intent of describing the state of the art in terms of technology, results from recent clinical studies, advanced applications, and ongoing efforts to develop multimodality imaging systems that include DBT. Particular emphasis is placed on clinical studies. The observations of increase in cancer detection rates, particularly for invasive cancers, and the reduction in false-positive rates with DBT in prospective trials indicate its benefit for breast cancer screening. Retrospective multireader multicase studies show either noninferiority or superiority of DBT compared with mammography. Methods to curtail radiation dose are of importance

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“…Once validated, MANTIS can be used to perform system optimizations and accurate reconstructions of data for a variety of applications. It has already been applied to characterize breast tomosynthesis 13 and breast computed tomography ͑CT͒ systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental validation of Monte Carlo (MANTIS) simulated x‐ray response of columnar CsI scintillator screens

Freed

Miller²,

Tang

et al. 2009

Medical Physics

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Purpose: MANTIS is a Monte Carlo code developed for the detailed simulation of columnar CsI scintillator screens in x-ray imaging systems. Validation of this code is needed to provide a reliable and valuable tool for system optimization and accurate reconstructions for a variety of x-ray applications. Whereas previous validation efforts have focused on matching of summary statistics, in this work the authors examine the complete point response function ͑PRF͒ of the detector system in addition to relative light output values. Methods: Relative light output values and high-resolution PRFs have been experimentally measured with a custom setup. A corresponding set of simulated light output values and PRFs have also been produced, where detailed knowledge of the experimental setup and CsI:Tl screen structures are accounted for in the simulations. Four different screens were investigated with different thicknesses, column tilt angles, and substrate types. A quantitative comparison between the experimental and simulated PRFs was performed for four different incidence angles ͑0°, 15°, 30°, and 45°͒ and two different x-ray spectra ͑40 and 70 kVp͒. The figure of merit ͑FOM͒ used measures the normalized differences between the simulated and experimental data averaged over a region of interest. Results: Experimental relative light output values ranged from 1.456 to 1.650 and were in approximate agreement for aluminum substrates, but poor agreement for graphite substrates. The FOMs for all screen types, incidence angles, and energies ranged from 0.1929 to 0.4775. To put these FOMs in context, the same FOM was computed for 2D symmetric Gaussians fit to the same experimental data. These FOMs ranged from 0.2068 to 0.8029. Our analysis demonstrates that MANTIS reproduces experimental PRFs with higher accuracy than a symmetric 2D Gaussian fit to the experimental data in the majority of cases. Examination of the spatial distribution of differences between the PRFs shows that the main reason for errors between MANTIS and the experimental data is that MANTIS-generated PRFs are sharper than the experimental PRFs. Conclusions: The experimental validation of MANTIS performed in this study demonstrates that MANTIS is able to reliably predict experimental PRFs, especially for thinner screens, and can reproduce the highly asymmetric shape seen in the experimental data. As a result, optimizations and reconstructions carried out using MANTIS should yield results indicative of actual detector performance. Better characterization of screen properties is necessary to reconcile the simulated light output values with experimental data.

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Anisotropic imaging performance in breast tomosynthesis

Cited by 36 publications

References 50 publications

A virtual trial framework for quantifying the detectability of masses in breast tomosynthesis projection data

A virtual trial framework for quantifying the detectability of masses in breast tomosynthesis projection data

Digital Breast Tomosynthesis: State of the Art

Experimental validation of Monte Carlo (MANTIS) simulated x‐ray response of columnar CsI scintillator screens

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