Evaluation of 3D modality-independent elastography for breast imaging: a simulation study

Abstract

This paper reports on the development and preliminary testing of a threedimensional implementation of an inverse problem technique for extracting soft-tissue elasticity information via non-rigid model-based image registration. The modality-independent elastography (MIE) algorithm adjusts the elastic properties of a biomechanical model to achieve maximal similarity between images acquired under different states of static loading. A series of simulation experiments with clinical image sets of human breasts were performed to test the ability of the method to identify and characterize a radiographically occult stiff lesion. Because boundary conditions are a critical input to the algorithm, a comparison of three methods for semi-automated surface point correspondence was conducted in the context of systematic and randomized noise processes. The results illustrate that 3D MIE was able to successfully reconstruct elasticity images using data obtained from both magnetic resonance and x-ray computed tomography systems. The lesion was localized correctly in all cases and its relative elasticity found to be reasonably close to the true values (3.5% with the use of spatial priors and 11.6% without). In addition, the inaccuracies of surface registration performed with thin-plate spline interpolation did not exceed empiric thresholds of unacceptable boundary condition error.

Diagnostic value of MR elastography in addition to contrast-enhanced MR imaging of the breast—initial clinical results

“…Further investigations aimed at whole breast technique-independent 3D elastography would make MRE analysis of any desired lesion together with analysis of ce MRI possible in one step. First results have shown elasticity values that are reasonably close to true values [34], but clinical evaluation of this method is yet to be performed.…”

Breast tissue stiffness estimation for surgical guidance using gravity-induced excitation

“…However, this work goes further than the closely-related investigations of the elastography method called modality independent elastography (MIE) (Miga 2003, Miga et al 2005, Ou et al 2007, Pheiffer et al 2011, Weis et al 2013, 2015a). More specifically, previous MIE investigations were only successful in predicting soft-tissue stiffness ratios between adipose, fibroglandular, and tumor due to the use of indeterminate displacement boundary conditions.…”

Assessing the accuracy and reproducibility of modality independent elastography in a murine model of breast cancer

“…While we have previously studied the use of the general MIE method, [39][40][41][42][43][44] we have recently fundamentally advanced the automation, translation, and application toward the preclinical setting. 45 MIE is now positioned as a noninvasive imaging methodology that can provide quantitative characterization of tissue mechanical status.…”

“…We have previously applied this general approach to x-ray computed tomography, MR and optical imaging data from both preclinical and clinical settings. [39][40][41][42][43][44][45] The MIE approach is a novel elastographic imaging technique that is automated, straightforward and capable of implementation across length scales and modalities.…”