Evaluation of a variable dose acquisition methodology for breast tomosynthesis - art. no. 691319

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the recently proposed variable dose (VD) acquisition scheme that has been hypothesized to overcome the limitations of microcalcification detection in breast tomosynthesis. In this acquisition methodology, approximately half of the total dose is used for one central projection. This central projection view is similar to a conventional mammograrn and used to detect microcalcifications. The other half of the total dose is split among the rest of the projection views. These variable dose projection data are then reconstructed and the 3D slices are used for detection of masses. This novel acquisition methodology can potentially overcome the current limitations with microcalcification detection in breast tomosynthesis (BT) and may result in faster and more accurate detection of both microcalcifications and masses. Having access to both a conventional mammogram (i.e., the central projection) and tomosynthesis slices would also act as a bridge for radiologists who are used to viewing single projection images. In the current study, a comparison of microcalcification detection accuracy obtained using VD and conventional BT was conducted. A realistic computer simulation was used to model the realistic noise and blur encountered in BT systems. The simulation used a compressed breast phantom, modeled using CT images of compressed mastectomy specimens. Localization receiver operating characteristic (LROC) analysis was performed for detecting microcalcifications of size ranging from 147 microns to 178 microns. The results suggested higher microcalcification detection and localization accuracy using the VD technique. The complete study will also consist of evaluating detection of masses for the two strategies.