Detection of Microcalcifications in Spiral Breast Computed Tomography with Photon-Counting Detector Is Feasible: A Specimen Study

Abstract

The primary objective of the study was to compare a spiral breast computed tomography system (SBCT) to digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) for the detection of microcalcifications (MCs) in breast specimens. The secondary objective was to compare various reconstruction modes in SBCT. In total, 54 breast biopsy specimens were examined with mammography as a standard reference, with DBT, and with a dedicated SBCT containing a photon-counting detector. Three different reconstruction modes were applied for SBCT datasets (Recon1 = voxel size (0.15 mm)3, smooth kernel; Recon2 = voxel size (0.05 mm)3, smooth kernel; Recon3 = voxel size (0.05 mm)3, sharp kernel). Sensitivity and specificity of DBT and SBCT for the detection of suspicious MCs were analyzed, and the McNemar test was used for comparisons. Diagnostic confidence of the two readers (Likert Scale 1 = not confident; 5 = completely confident) was analyzed with ANOVA. Regarding detection of MCs, reader 1 had a higher sensitivity for DBT (94.3%) and Recon2 (94.9%) compared to Recon1 (88.5%; p < 0.05), while sensitivity for Recon3 was 92.4%. Respectively, reader 2 had a higher sensitivity for DBT (93.0%), Recon2 (92.4%), and Recon3 (93.0%) compared to Recon1 (86.0%; p < 0.05). Specificities ranged from 84.7–94.9% for both readers (p > 0.05). The diagnostic confidence of reader 1 was better with SBCT than with DBT (DBT 4.48 ± 0.88, Recon1 4.77 ± 0.66, Recon2 4.89 ± 0.44, and Recon3 4.75 ± 0.72; DBT vs. Recon1/2/3: p < 0.05), while reader 2 found no differences. Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of MCs in breast specimens is equal for DBT and SBCT when a small voxel size of (0.05 mm)3 is used with an equal or better diagnostic confidence for SBCT compared to DBT.

[Retracted] Clinical Application of Spiral CT Reconstruction Imaging in Patients with Tracheal Stenosis before Anesthesia

“…In the observation of the anesthesia effect, according to the evaluation of 47 cases of spiral CT reconstruction image, there was no intubation failure during general anesthesia of endotracheal intubation, and the success rate was 100%. The detection of oxygen saturation and end expiratory carbon dioxide during anesthesia were within the normal range, indicating that the spiral CT reconstruction image before anesthesia can effectively measure and evaluate tracheal stenosis [ 14 – 16 ]. Spiral CT has a good representation of the complete anatomical surface of the trachea through reconstruction.…”

Coronary Calcium Scoring with First Generation Dual-Source Photon-Counting CT—First Evidence from Phantom and In-Vivo Scans

“…Compared to EID-CT, photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) represents a fundamentally different approach for CT imaging [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Photon-counting detectors count the number of incoming photons and the electronic signal is proportional to the deposited energy of each photon [ 11 ].…”

Accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography, digital mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis for microcalcifications and margins to microcalcifications in breast specimens

“…Only recently, Wetzl et al 33 confirmed that the sensitivity and specificity for the detection of microcalcifications in breast specimens is at least equal or better for photon-counting breast CT compared to DBT with DM as standard reference. Therefore, with a dedicated breast CT system the visibility of microcalcifications in specimens might be further improved.…”

“…Regarding the latest promising studies with further improved breast CT imaging technology for specimens 32 , 33 as well as for breast imaging, which might even be additionally improved by contrast media application 25 , more focus should be laid on breast CT. Especially in preoperative imaging dedicated breast CT might be a promising alternative to the more expensive breast MRI.…”