Computation of breast ptosis from 3D surface scans of the female torso

Abstract

Stereophotography is now finding a niche in clinical breast surgery, and several methods for quantitatively measuring breast morphology from 3D surface images have been developed. Breast ptosis (sagging of the breast), which refers to the extent by which the nipple is lower than the inframammary fold (the contour along which the inferior part of the breast attaches to the chest wall), is an important morphological parameter that is frequently used for assessing the outcome of breast surgery. This study presents a novel algorithm that utilizes three-dimensional (3D) features such as surface curvature and orientation for the assessment of breast ptosis from 3D scans of the female torso. The performance of the computational approach proposed was compared against the consensus of manual ptosis ratings by nine plastic surgeons, and that of current 2D photogrammetric methods. Compared to the 2D methods, the average accuracy for 3D features was ~13% higher, with an increase in precision, recall, and F-score of 37%, 29%, and 33%, respectively. The computational approach proposed provides an improved and unbiased objective method for rating ptosis when compared to qualitative visualization by observers, and distance based 2D photogrammetry approaches.

Body image dissatisfaction in patients undergoing breast reconstruction: Examining the roles of breast symmetry and appearance investment

“…We were not able to use the nipple as a landmark because a significant proportion of our sample was without a nipple‐areola complex as they were in the process of undergoing reconstruction. There are recent innovations in objective measures, for instance, the use of 3‐dimensional imaging to quantify additional properties such as breast volume and texture . There are also a number of other aspects of reconstruction outcomes including assessment of shape, discoloration, and position of the nipple‐areola that can be considered in future studies …”

“…There are recent innovations in objective measures, for instance, the use of 3-dimensional imaging to quantify additional properties such as breast volume and texture. 17,20,36,37 There are also a number of other aspects of reconstruction outcomes including assessment of shape, discoloration, and position of the nipple-areola that can be considered in future studies. [38][39][40]…”

Quantitative Analysis of Localized Changes in Breast Shape

“…Figure 4 presents representative images from a patient who underwent unilateral TRAM flap surgery on the right breast. As seen, for the preoperative left breast, the distribution of the orientation angles is similar across the different visits (2)(3)(4). In contrast, the reconstructed right breast (visit 2) has distinctly higher values along the boundary of the breast mound, presenting a clear delineation of the rounded shape of the inserted tissue expander (TE).…”

“…There is a rich body of prior work on subjective and objective evaluation of breast shape, size, symmetry, and ptosis [2] for surgical planning and outcome assessment. Many studies have relied on in-person measurements and 2D photographs [3,4] while recent studies have been able to use three-dimensional imaging technologies to automatically extract objective 3D measurements through algorithm development.…”

An Aesthetic Factor Priority List of the Female Breast in Scandinavian Subjects

“…Lower pole shape has previously received much interest in conjunction with ptosis research. 8 Upper pole fullness is also a concept frequently studied and discussed. 9 – 14 Our data support the focus and interest in both the lower and upper pole shape.…”