Breast Magnetic Resonance Image Analysis for Surgeons Using Virtual Reality: A Comparative Study

Abstract

PURPOSE The treatment of breast cancer, the leading cause of cancer and cancer mortality among women worldwide, is mainly on the basis of surgery. In this study, we describe the use of a medical image visualization tool on the basis of virtual reality (VR), entitled DIVA, in the context of breast cancer tumor localization among surgeons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the speed and accuracy of surgeons using DIVA for medical image analysis of breast magnetic resonance image (MRI) scans relative to standard image slice-based visualization tools. MATERIALS AND METHODS In our study, residents and practicing surgeons used two breast MRI reading modalities: the common slice-based radiology interface and the DIVA system in its VR mode. Metrics measured were compared in relation to postoperative anatomical-pathologic reports. RESULTS Eighteen breast surgeons from the Institut Curie performed all the analysis presented. The MRI analysis time was significantly lower with the DIVA system than with the slice-based visualization for residents, practitioners, and subsequently the entire group ( P < .001). The accuracy of determination of which breast contained the lesion significantly increased with DIVA for residents ( P = .003) and practitioners ( P = .04). There was little difference between the DIVA and slice-based visualization for the determination of the number of lesions. The accuracy of quadrant determination was significantly improved by DIVA for practicing surgeons ( P = .01) but not significantly for residents ( P = .49). CONCLUSION This study indicates that the VR visualization of medical images systematically improves surgeons' analysis of preoperative breast MRI scans across several different metrics irrespective of surgeon seniority.

Opportunities and challenges of virtual reality-based interventions for patients with breast cancer: a systematic review

“…Many breast cancer survivors experience physical and psychological symptoms (such as pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and lymphedema); functional deficits (such as reduced shoulder range of motion and cognitive impairment); emotional problems (such as fatigue, pain, anxiety, and depression); and other complications such as bleeding, effusion, and flap necrosis. Side effects from breast cancer or treatment can have a significant impact on the quality of life (QoL) of breast cancer survivors [5][6][7][8][9].…”

Three-dimensional virtual reality in surgical planning for breast cancer with reconstruction

“…1 Several studies have shown that 3D-VR improves the speed and accuracy of surgeon analysis, specifically via the accuracy of preoperative MRI scans prior to breast surgical interventions. [2][3][4] Moreover, it has shown a better understanding of the anatomy among different surgical fields such as craniofacial trauma, complex congenital disease surgery, urology, abdominal pediatric surgery, surgical oncology, plastic surgery, among others. [5][6][7][8][9][10] We present the use of 3D-VR in a breast cancer patient who underwent nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) with reconstruction as an additional tool to improve surgical planning.…”

Breast MRI Analysis for Surgeons Using Virtual Reality: Real-life Applications, Clinical Case Reports

“…Some visualization tools based on VR have been developed and AVATAR medical is one of them. Its usefulness for analysing breast MRI in the context of BC has been recently assessed [6].…”