Introducing DeBRa: a detailed breast model for radiological studies

Abstract

Currently, x-ray mammography is the method of choice in breast cancer screening programmes. As the mammography technology moves from 2D imaging modalities to 3D, conventional computational phantoms do not have sufficient detail to support the studies of these advanced imaging systems. Studies of these 3D imaging systems call for a realistic and sophisticated computational model of the breast. DeBRa (Detailed Breast model for Radiological studies) is the most advanced, detailed, 3D computational model of the breast developed recently for breast imaging studies. A DeBRa phantom can be constructed to model a compressed breast, as in film/screen, digital mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis studies, or a non-compressed breast as in positron emission mammography and breast CT studies. Both the cranial-caudal and mediolateral oblique views can be modelled. The anatomical details inside the phantom include the lactiferous duct system, the Cooper ligaments and the pectoral muscle. The fibroglandular tissues are also modelled realistically. In addition, abnormalities such as microcalcifications, irregular tumours and spiculated tumours are inserted into the phantom. Existing sophisticated breast models require specialized simulation codes. Unlike its predecessors, DeBRa has elemental compositions and densities incorporated into its voxels including those of the explicitly modelled anatomical structures and the noise-like fibroglandular tissues. The voxel dimensions are specified as needed by any study and the microcalcifications are embedded into the voxels so that the microcalcification sizes are not limited by the voxel dimensions. Therefore, DeBRa works with general-purpose Monte Carlo codes. Furthermore, general-purpose Monte Carlo codes allow different types of imaging modalities and detector characteristics to be simulated with ease. DeBRa is a versatile and multipurpose model specifically designed for both x-ray and gamma-ray imaging studies.

Optimized generation of high resolution breast anthropomorphic software phantoms

“…These simulation methods can be divided into two major categories: (i) methods based upon rules for generating anatomical structures in the breast [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] and (ii) methods based upon individual clinical 3D breast images. [9][10][11] These two categories of methods are complementary; while the second category offers an increased level of realism due to the use of clinical data, the first category offers more flexibility to cover clinically observed variations in breast anatomy.…”

On the orientation of mammographic structure

“…2 Power-law backgrounds have been widely used as a statistical model for breast backgrounds, [3][4][5][6][7][8][9] and power-law exponents in clinical tomosynthesis and breast CT images have been investigated. 10,11 To date, power-law coefficients have been estimated from the radial averaged of the power spectrum.…”

Evaluation of an improved algorithm for producing realistic 3D breast software phantoms: Application for mammography

“…Tissue compositions are usually taken from Hammerstein et al 13 More complex phantoms can be generated by simulating 3D breast tissue distribution, obtained by applying the concept of 3D power law noise. 14,15 Advanced breast models with 3D realistic breast tissue distribution and anatomical features [16][17][18] have been developed in order to carry out feasibility studies with 2D and 3D x-ray breast imaging techniques, including optimization of image number and dose per image in digital breast tomosynthesis and breast dual energy, 10,15,[18][19][20] as well as to perform accurate breast dosimetry, 21 evaluate nonrigid mammogram registration techniques, 22 calculate the properties of the digital mammograms 23 and investigate the effect of digital breast tomosynthesis acquisition parameters on computer-extracted texture features. 24,25 These models offer complex breast tissue simulation and allow the generation of realistic synthetic mammograms which resemble the real ones.…”

“…24,25 These models offer complex breast tissue simulation and allow the generation of realistic synthetic mammograms which resemble the real ones. Recently, Ma et al 18 reported an advanced new breast model suitable for work with general purpose Monte Carlo codes for simulation of x-ray projection images. Synthetic mammograms are calculated utilizing basically two approaches.…”