Quantitative assessment of breast density using transmission ultrasound tomography

Abstract

Purpose Breast density is important in the evaluation of breast cancer risk. At present, breast density is evaluated using two‐dimensional projections from mammography with or without tomosynthesis using either (a) subjective assessment or (b) a computer‐aided approach. The purpose of this work is twofold: (a) to establish an algorithm for quantitative assessment of breast density using quantitative three‐dimensional transmission ultrasound imaging; and (b) to determine how these quantitative assessments compare with both subjective and objective mammographic assessments of breast density. Methods We described and verified a threshold‐based segmentation algorithm to give a quantitative breast density ( QBD ) on ultrasound tomography images of phantoms of known geometric forms. We also used the algorithm and transmission ultrasound tomography to quantitatively determine breast density by separating fibroglandular tissue from fat and skin, based on imaged, quantitative tissue characteristics, and compared the quantitative tomography segmentation results with subjective and objective mammographic assessments. Results Quantitative breast density ( QBD ) measured in phantoms demonstrates high quantitative accuracy with respect to geometric volumes with average difference of less than 0.1% of the total phantom volumes. There is a strong correlation between QBD and both subjective mammographic assessments of Breast Imaging ‐ Reporting and Data System ( BI ‐ RADS ) breast composition categories and Volpara density scores — the Spearman correlation coefficients for the two comparisons were calculated to be 0.90 (95% CI : 0.71–0.96) and 0.96 (95% CI : 0.92–0.98), respectively. Conclusions The calculation of breast density using ultrasound tomography and the described segmentation algorithm is quantitatively accurate in phantoms and highly correlated with both subjective and Food and Drug Administration ( FDA )‐cleared objective assessments of breast density.

Bayesian Approach for a Robust Speed-of-Sound Reconstruction Using Pulse-Echo Ultrasound

“…This research was funded in part by the Swiss National Science Foundation (project number 205320 178038) and the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 732411, Photonics Private Public Partnership, and is supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) under contract number 16.0162. The opinions expressed and arguments employed herein do not necessarily reflect the official view of the Swiss Government.…”

Full wave 3D inverse scattering transmission ultrasound tomography in the presence of high contrast

“…That algorithm maintains the projection-like geometry of Radon and diffraction tomography but includes nonlinear and extended refraction and diffraction effects. This algorithm, first proved in the context of the breast [51][52][53] , is extended to include bone by the careful choice of alternative frequencies and iteration counts at each frequency. This extension of the algorithm to these more difficult cases involving bone, is analogous to the use of different 'sequences' in MR imaging.…”

“…We observed an average of 9.4% with a standard deviation of 0.2%. Since the ratio is based upon quantitative speed of sound 52 this indicates the stability of the transmission ultrasound reconstructions.…”

3D tumor detection in automated breast ultrasound using deep convolutional neural network

“…1,2 Although mammography is widely used for early detection of breast cancer, it shows low detection performance for women with dense breasts. 3 Moreover, it is an ionizing radiation examination and a history of mammography may increase the risk of breast cancer. 4 Hand-held ultrasound (HHUS) is an important imaging technique in complementary to breast mammography.…”

“…Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in women and early detection is essential to reduce mortality and improve prognosis 1,2 . Although mammography is widely used for early detection of breast cancer, it shows low detection performance for women with dense breasts 3 . Moreover, it is an ionizing radiation examination and a history of mammography may increase the risk of breast cancer 4 .…”