Abstract
Objectives. This study presents correlations between cross-sectional anatomy of human female breasts and Quantitative Transmission (QT) Ultrasound, does discriminate classifier analysis to validate the speed of sound correlations, and does a visual grading analysis comparing QT Ultrasound with mammography. Materials and Methods. Human cadaver breasts were imaged using QT Ultrasound, sectioned, and photographed. Biopsies confirmed microanatomy and areas were correlated with QT Ultrasound images. Measurements were taken in live subjects from QT Ultrasound images and values of speed of sound for each identified anatomical structure were plotted. Finally, a visual grading analysis was performed on images to determine whether radiologists' confidence in identifying breast structures with mammography (XRM) is comparable to QT Ultrasound. Results. QT Ultrasound identified all major anatomical features of the breast, and speed of sound calculations showed specific values for different breast tissues. Using linear discriminant analysis overall accuracy is 91.4%. Using visual grading analysis readers scored the image quality on QT Ultrasound as better than on XRM in 69%–90% of breasts for specific tissues. Conclusions. QT Ultrasound provides accurate anatomic information and high tissue specificity using speed of sound information. Quantitative Transmission Ultrasound can distinguish different types of breast tissue with high resolution and accuracy.
Highlights
Breast structure is composed of thousands of terminal ductolobular units (TDLU) and their supporting connective tissue [1]
Sonographic resolution using hand-held ultrasound (HHUS) can visualize several orders of mammary ducts and the functional unit of the breast, the TDLU [2], the technology is limited in the depth to which it can penetrate with high resolution and in its limitation in performing image acquisition in only 2 dimensions (2D)
We present images using Quantitative Transmission Ultrasound
Summary
Breast structure is composed of thousands of terminal ductolobular units (TDLU) and their supporting connective tissue [1]. Sonographic resolution using hand-held ultrasound (HHUS) can visualize several orders of mammary ducts and the functional unit of the breast, the TDLU [2], the technology is limited in the depth to which it can penetrate with high resolution and in its limitation in performing image acquisition in only 2 dimensions (2D). There is still no clinically available sonographic method to perform true 3dimensional image acquisition and true 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the breast at high resolution. Ultrasound) as a novel technology that performs true 3dimensional imaging and reconstruction at high resolution. QT Ultrasound provides high resolution breast imaging without ionizing radiation, compression, or contrast injection. Due to the prone positioning of the breast, 3D reconstruction, and type of images, the QT Ultrasound studies can be compared in the same plane and orientation as those acquired with other imaging modalities such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
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