Diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value of three-dimensional electrical impedance tomography imaging in patients with breast cancer

Abstract

Background: Three-dimensional electrical impedance tomography (3D EIT) is a novel, non-invasive, radiationfree imaging technology for breast cancer screening. This study aimed to identify characteristics and classification of 3D EIT breast cancer imaging that could provide diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value for breast cancer patients.Methods: A total of 645 suspicious breast lesions [Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) III, IV, V] identified by mammography or ultrasound were examined with 3D EIT (MEIK, SIM-Technika, Yaroslavl, Russia). Breast tissue conductivity was quantified using MEIK 5.6 software. Diagnostic performance of visually interpreted 3D EIT was assessed using histology (surgical excision or vacuum core biopsy) and clinical follow-up. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to calculate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates. Hazard ratio (HR) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for various clinicopathological variables were determined using univariate and multivariate Cox regression models.Results: Breast cancer was confirmed in 272 of 645 patients by histopathology and other diagnostic imaging modalities. Among the confirmed cases, 218 patients had positive 3D EIT findings. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive likelihood, and negative likelihood ratios of 3D EIT were 80.1%, 75.1%, 77.2%, 70.1%, and 83.8%. There were no significant differences in the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, or specificity between 3D EIT and mammography, ultrasound, or combined mammography and ultrasound. 3D EIT breast cancer images were classified into 3 different types, including Ia [non-complicated breast cancer (NCBC), 62 cases], Ib [complicated breast cancer (CBC), 131 cases], and Ic [edematous-infiltrative breast cancer (EIBC), 25 cases], which were associated with tumor size (P<0.001), TNM stage (P<0.001), and lymph node metastasis (P=0.012). At 5-year follow-up, multivariate analysis demonstrated that breast cancer 3D EIT imaging classification was an independent predictor for decreased OS (HR: 2.399, 95% CI: 1.035, 5.564, P=0.041) and PFS (HR: 2.836, 95% CI: 1.555, 5.172, P=0.012) in patients with breast cancer. Conclusions: 3D EIT breast cancer images were classified into 3 types based on different image characteristics. 3D EIT appeared to be useful in clinical diagnostic performance and prognostic evaluation in patients with breast cancer.

Automated Computer-Assisted Medical Decision-Making System Based on Morphological Shape and Skin Thickness Analysis for Asymmetry Detection in Mammographic Images

“…While histopathology images provide valuable insights into the cellular composition of breast tissue, obtaining such data can be challenging in certain regions, limiting the widespread application of AI-based techniques [5]. To address this limitation, our research focuses on developing a computer system solely based on computer vision and morphological features for asymmetry detection in mammographic images.…”

Development of Multi Frequency Electrical Impedance Tomography for Rectangular Geometry by Finite Volume Methods

“…EIT was applied in the medical field, including the monitoring of intracranial hemorrhages or hematomas [4], cancer detection were lung cancer [5], skin cancer [6] and breast cancer [7], study of pelvic fluid accumulation [8], pulmonary ventilation analysis [9], blood pressure measurement [10], lung imaging [11], Cardio-Pulmonary Monitoring [12], Hyperthermia Treatment [13], Pediatric Lung Disease [14], Breast Imaging [15], Brain Imaging [16].…”

Case-Specific Focal Sensor Design for Cardiac Electrical Impedance Tomography

“…Electrical impedance tomography is a non-invasive imaging method [1], which applies current or voltage excitation to electrodes at the boundary of an observation domain and uses the obtained electrical response signals to reconstruct the electrical conductivity distribution in the domain. Due to its low cost, portable equipment, high time resolution and lack of radiation, EIT has received extensive attention in biomedical imaging [2], and it has great potential application prospects and application value in the continuous monitoring of the functions of the human heart [3,4], lungs [5][6][7], brain [8,9], breast [10][11][12], abdomen [13,14] and other major organs.…”