Pilot Investigation into the Use of an Anthropomorphic Breast Sonography Phantom as a Training and Assessment Tool

Browne, Jacinta E.; Cannon, Louise M.; McDermott, Rónán; Ryan, Max; Fagan, Andrew

doi:10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2017.07.015

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…The measurement of the Hounsfield number was performed using a 64-slice CT scanner (Sensation, Siemens Medical Solutions, Karlsruhe, Germany). HU were measured at 80 kVp, with a pixel size of 0.97 × 0.97 mm 2 . In order to maintain HU consistency, the scanner was calibrated using a phantom made of different reference materials with known attenuation coefficients, provided by the manufacturer.…”

Section: Characterization Protocolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, they can be used as tools in operator training for imaging or image-guided interventional procedures. They also represent a quality assessment and image optimization device for the initial implementation of an imaging protocol, and can be used for routine quality control of the same image modality to ensure that the scanning system is operating properly [2]. The use of anthropomorphic phantoms, with a high degree of anatomical, morphological and even pathological realism, is critical to ensure that these features are assessed in a realistically challenging scenario.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Multimodal Breast Phantoms for Microwave, Ultrasound, Mammography, Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Imaging

Ruvio

Solimene

Cuccaro

et al. 2020

Sensors

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The aim of this work was to develop multimodal anthropomorphic breast phantoms suitable for evaluating the imaging performance of a recently-introduced Microwave Imaging (MWI) technique in comparison to the established diagnostic imaging modalities of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Ultrasound (US), mammography and Computed Tomography (CT). MWI is an emerging technique with significant potential to supplement established imaging techniques to improve diagnostic confidence for breast cancer detection. To date, numerical simulations have been used to assess the different MWI scanning and image reconstruction algorithms in current use, while only a few clinical trials have been conducted. To bridge the gap between the numerical simulation environment and a more realistic diagnostic scenario, anthropomorphic phantoms which mimic breast tissues in terms of their heterogeneity, anatomy, morphology, and mechanical and dielectric characteristics, may be used. Key in this regard is achieving realism in the imaging appearance of the different healthy and pathologic tissue types for each of the modalities, taking into consideration the differing imaging and contrast mechanisms for each modality. Suitable phantoms can thus be used by radiologists to correlate image findings between the emerging MWI technique and the more familiar images generated by the conventional modalities. Two phantoms were developed in this study, representing difficult-to-image and easy-to-image patients: the former contained a complex boundary between the mammary fat and fibroglandular tissues, extracted from real patient MRI datasets, while the latter contained a simpler and less morphologically accurate interface. Both phantoms were otherwise identical, with tissue-mimicking materials (TMMs) developed to mimic skin, subcutaneous fat, fibroglandular tissue, tumor and pectoral muscle. The phantoms’ construction used non-toxic materials, and they were inexpensive and relatively easy to manufacture. Both phantoms were scanned using conventional modalities (MRI, US, mammography and CT) and a recently introduced MWI radar detection procedure called in-coherent Multiple Signal Classification (I-MUSIC). Clinically realistic artifact-free images of the anthropomorphic breast phantoms were obtained using the conventional imaging techniques as well as the emerging technique of MWI.

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Section: Characterization Protocolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multimodal Breast Phantoms for Microwave, Ultrasound, Mammography, Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Imaging

Ruvio

Solimene

Cuccaro

et al. 2020

Sensors

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“…Browne et al [12] developed and evaluated sonography phantoms for the training and quantitative assessment of breast sonography. Different designs were used to create realistic sonograph-ic images of breast morphology with a range of embedded pathologies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low-cost simulation model for ultrasound-guided punch biopsy and puncture: Construction manual and photo examples

Lüdke,

Paliege,

Kluge

et al. 2024

Ultraschall Med

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Purpose Ultrasound-guided puncture and punch biopsy pose a particular challenge in the training of ultrasound examination. These techniques should be learned and performed several times before being applied to the patient using a simulation model that is as realistic as possible. While the use of agar-agar-based models is extensively documented in the literature, there is a discernible gap in publications specifically addressing their use in punch biopsy and puncture. The aim was to develop a cost-effective model for the simulation of ultrasound-guided interventions. Material and Methods The developed simulation model is based on the vegetable gelatine agar-agar. The agar-agar powder is boiled in water and coloured. Various objects are added to the mass. Blueberries, olives, tomatoes and cornichons imitate solid structures. Liquid-filled balloons are used to simulate cystic structures. Adding stones can make the exercises more difficult due to hyperechoic reflexes with distal shadowing. Results With the model, ultrasound-guided punctures and punch biopsies could be successfully simulated, and ultrasound images generated for this purpose. The cost of a single model is about 2 euros. The production takes less than 2 hours, including cooling. The pure processing time is 30 minutes. The durability of the models is limited by mould, which occurs after 5 days when stored in room air and after 5 weeks in the refrigerator. Conclusion It was shown that it is possible to produce an inexpensive agar-agar-based ultrasound model in a short time and with easily available ingredients to learn ultrasound-guided punctures and punch biopsies. Ziel Ultraschallgestützte Punktionen und Stanzbiopsien stellen eine besondere Herausforderung in der Ausbildung von Ultraschalluntersuchungen dar. Diese Techniken sollten bestenfalls vor der Anwendung am Patienten durch realistische Simulationsmodelle erlernt werden. Der Einsatz von Modellen zur Erlernung von ultraschallgestützten Stanzbiopsien und Punktionen ist bisher kaum beschrieben. Ziel war es, ein kostengünstiges Modell zur Simulation ultraschallgestützter Interventionen herzustellen. Material und Methoden Das entwickelte Simulationsmodell basiert auf pflanzlicher Gelatine. Das Gelatine-Pulver wird in Wasser aufgekocht und gefärbt. Beim Gießen des Modells werden verschiedene Objekte der Masse hinzugefügt. Mit Blaubeeren, Oliven und Tomaten können solide Strukturen imitiert werden. Flüssigkeitsgefüllte Ballons simulieren zystische Strukturen. Das Hinzufügen von Steinen kann die Übungen erschweren. Ergebnisse Mit dem beschriebenen Modell können ultraschallgestützte Punktionen und Stanzbiopsien erfolgreich simuliert und hierfür Ultraschallbilder generiert werden. Die Kosten eines Simulationsmodells betragen ca. 2 Euro. Die Herstellung dauert inklusive des Abkühlens ca. 3 Stunden. Die reine Arbeitszeit beträgt 30 min. Nach dem Abkühlen ist das Modell sofort einsatzfähig. Schimmelbildung zeigt sich bei Lagerung an der Raumluft nach 5 Tagen und im Kühlschrank nach 5 Wochen. Schlussfolgerung Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass es möglich ist, ein kostengünstiges Ultraschallmodell in kurzer Zeit und mit einfach verfügbaren Inhaltsstoffen für das Erlernen von ultraschallgestützten Punktionen und Stanzbiopsien auf der Basis von Agar-Agar herzustellen.

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“…The simulation training workshop was carried out over a block of 3 hours, chosen in part to facilitate the recruitment of radiology residents, but also because this time duration was found, in a meta-analysis of 63 studies performed by Donovan & Radosevich, 1999, to be the optimum set-up and practice time for learning complex skills such as ultrasound imaging (18); this meta-analysis revealed that the effect of training intervention over a distributed practice schedule diminished with increased task complexity and increasing time interval between practice sessions. The ultrasound scanning skills which were being developed and assessed through the simulation training workshop in this study were complex, and so it was hypothesised that the approach of a massed training session would provide the best results compared to distributed practice which was how our previous study was carried out (19).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Novel Anthropomorphic Breast Ultrasound Phantoms for Radiology Resident Education

Browne

Fazzio

et al. 2019

Journal of the American College of Radiology

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This study evaluated the training and assessment role of anthropomorphic breast ultrasound phantoms which simulated both the morphological and sonographic characteristics of breast tissue, including lesions, in a group of radiology residents at a large academic medical center. Methods: This was a prospective study involving 9 residents across all years (2 nd-4 th year) of a radiology residency program. Baseline assessments of all residents ability to detect and characterize lesions in P-I were carried out, followed by a two-hour teaching session on the same phantom. All residents underwent a post-training, final assessment on P-II to evaluate changes in their lesion detection rate and ability to correctly characterize the lesions. The two devices (Phantom 1 (P-I) and Phantom 2 (P-II)) were designed and constructed to produce similar realistic sonographic images of breast morphology with a range of embedded pathologies to provide a realistic training experience. Results: The results demonstrated there was a significant increase in both the pooled detection and correct characterization score for all residents pre-and post-training of 26±14% and 17±8%, p<0.0003, respectively. Post-training assessment surveys revealed that residents rated the training experience highly. Conclusions: This study suggests that there is a benefit in including a simulation training workshop with a novel anthropomorphic breast ultrasound training device to a radiology resident education program. Finally, the phantoms used in this study are useful for training and assessment purposes as they provide a lifelike simulation of breast tissue to practice ultrasound imaging without direct exposure to patients, in a non-pressured environment.

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Pilot Investigation into the Use of an Anthropomorphic Breast Sonography Phantom as a Training and Assessment Tool

Cited by 10 publications

References 58 publications

Multimodal Breast Phantoms for Microwave, Ultrasound, Mammography, Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Imaging

Multimodal Breast Phantoms for Microwave, Ultrasound, Mammography, Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Imaging

Low-cost simulation model for ultrasound-guided punch biopsy and puncture: Construction manual and photo examples

Use of Novel Anthropomorphic Breast Ultrasound Phantoms for Radiology Resident Education

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