2107: Real-time virtual sonography (RVS) for breast imaging

Abstract

Objectives: The Real-time virtual sonography (RVS) system developed by Hitachi Medical Corporation, Japan, displays ultrasound (US) image and corresponding MPR images of CT side-by-side. The usefulness of this system for liver has already been established and is being used at several clinical sites. In this paper we describe this system applied to breast imaging. Methods: The RVS system consists of an ultrasound scanner, a magnetic probe motion-tracking device and a PC. We first load the previously acquired CT volume data onto PC. During real-time ultrasound examination, the PC makes MPR (multi planar reconstruction) images from the CT volume data corresponding to the ultrasound probe position and displays CT and ultrasound images of the same cross section side-by-side. Results: This display helps in better understanding of the underlying anatomy of breast, thus leading to better biopsy planning and radical surgery planning. Our display frame rate is more than 10 frame/s. We are currently performing clinical study with this system in Nagoya University Hospital, Japan. In our presentation we will discuss this system in detail along with the results from breast clinical studies. Conclusions: We applied RVS system to breast imaging. RVS system helps in better understanding of the underlying anatomy of breast.