The CNR method in scan angle optimization of tomosynthesis and its limitations

Ren, Bin; Ruth, Chris; Zhang, Yiheng; Smith, Andrew P.; Williams, Cornell L.; Polischuk, B.; Jing, Zhenxue

doi:10.1117/12.813918

Cited by 6 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Previous theoretical analysis of image blurring in the Z-direction in terms of slice sensitivity profile 7 or depth of field 10 showed that image blurring is inversely proportional to the scan angle. We observed a similar trend of image blurring in the Z-direction in terms of FWHM in the current study using both phantom and human subject data.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The previous works used physical properties such as MTF, ASF, CNR, SSP, and mathematical observer models for optimization of DBT systems. These studies showed that, in general, decreasing acquisition angular range degraded the depth resolution, [7][8][9][10]12 and the CNR for masses was improved with increasing scan angular range, 9,12 while CNR for microcalcifications was less sensitive to the angular range compared to mass. 12 However, Ren et al 10 found that the choice of filters in their FBP method dominated the effect of acquisition angular range on CNR.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Zhang et al 9 investigated the effects of projection-view (PV) distribution on the artifact spread function (ASF) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of simulated masses and highdensity objects in DBT reconstructed with the simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART). Ren et al 10 investigated the relationship between CNR and FBP-type reconstruction methods in a DBT system optimization study. Chawla et al 11 evaluated lesion detectability in FBPreconstructed chest tomosynthesis images and studied its dependence on image acquisition parameters using a Laguerre-Gauss channelized Hotelling observer model.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Image quality of microcalcifications in digital breast tomosynthesis: Effects of projection-view distributions

Chan

Wei

et al. 2011

Med. Phys.

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Purpose: To analyze the effects of projection-view (PV) distribution on the contrast and spatial blurring of microcalcifications on the tomosynthesized slices (X-Y plane) and along the depth (Z) direction for the same radiation dose in digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT). Methods: A GE GEN2 prototype DBT system was used for acquisition of DBT scans. The system acquires PV images from 21 angles in 3 increments over a 630 range. From these acquired PV images, the authors selected six subsets of PV images to simulate DBT of different angular ranges and angular increments. The number of PV images in each subset was fixed at 11 to simulate a constant total dose. These different PV distributions were subjectively divided into three categories: uniform group, nonuniform central group, and nonuniform extreme group with different angular ranges and angular increments. The simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART) was applied to each subset to reconstruct the DBT slices. A selective diffusion regularization method was employed to suppress noise. The image quality of microcalcifications in the reconstructed DBTs with different PV distributions was compared using the DBT scans of an American College of Radiology phantom and three human subjects. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the line profiles of microcalcifications within their in-focus DBT slices (parallel to detector plane) and the FWHMs of the interplane artifact spread function (ASF) in the Z-direction (perpendicular to detector plane) were used as image quality measures. Results:The results indicate that DBT acquired with a large angular range or, for an equal angular range,with a large fraction of PVs at large angles yielded superior ASF with smaller FWHM in the Z-direction. PV distributions with a narrow angular range or a large fraction of PVs at small angles had stronger interplane artifacts. In the X-Y focal planes, the effect of PV distributions on spatial blurring depended on the directions. In the X-direction (perpendicular to the chestwall), the normalized line profiles of the calcifications reconstructed with the different PV distributions were similar in terms of FWHM; the differences in the FWHMs between the different PV distributions were less than half a pixel. In the Y-direction (x-ray source motion), the normalized line profiles of the calcifications reconstructed with PVs acquired with a narrow angular range or a large fraction of PVs at small angles had smaller FWHMs and thus less blurring of the line profiles. In addition, PV distributions with a narrow angular range or a large fraction of PVs at small angles yielded slightly higher CNR than those with a wide angular range for small, subtle microcalcifications; however, PV distributions had no obvious effect on CNR for relatively large microcalcifications. Conclusions: PV distributions affect the image quality of DBT. The relative importance of the impact depends on the characteristics of the signal and the direction (perpendicular or paral...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Image quality of microcalcifications in digital breast tomosynthesis: Effects of projection-view distributions

Chan

Wei

et al. 2011

Med. Phys.

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“…65 For this, the authors compared the CNR, the inplane full width at half maximum (FWHM) and the ASF of alone is not an appropriate metric for optimization of angular range, since a variation in angular range affects the inherent filtration performed by the reconstruction algorithm, which in turn impacts the value of CNR, rather than the angular range variation having a direct impact on CNR. 67 Finally, Gang et al proposed an analysis framework for optimization of geometry parameters using cascaded systems analysis by measuring the background power spectra of textured phantoms and incorporating this feature into a generalized detectability model that takes into account background, quantum and electronic noise. 68 The authors used this model to investigate the impact of varying angular range and number of projections (including values relevant to tomosynthesis and CT) on signals of different frequency characteristics, and found that the optimal parameter values differ for low and high frequency tasks.…”

Section: Geometry Optimizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of breast tomosynthesis. Part I. The image acquisition process

2013

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Mammography is a very well-established imaging modality for the early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer. However, since the introduction of digital imaging to the realm of radiology, more advanced, and especially tomographic imaging methods have been made possible. One of these methods, breast tomosynthesis, has finally been introduced to the clinic for routine everyday use, with potential to in the future replace mammography for screening for breast cancer. In this two part paper, the extensive research performed during the development of breast tomosynthesis is reviewed, with a focus on the research addressing the medical physics aspects of this imaging modality. This first paper will review the research performed on the issues relevant to the image acquisition process, including system design, optimization of geometry and technique, x-ray scatter, and radiation dose. The companion to this paper will review all other aspects of breast tomosynthesis imaging, including the reconstruction process.

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“…Many researchers have performed studies to determine the optimum geometry (angular range and number of projection views) for DBT. (Eberhard et al , 2006; Chawla et al , 2009; Chawla et al , 2008; Das et al , 2009; Gang et al , 2010; Gifford et al , 2008; Hu et al , 2008; Lu et al , 2011; Maidment et al , 2005; Maidment et al , 2006; Mertelmeier et al , 2008; Nishikawa et al , 2007; Reiser and Nishikawa, 2010; Ren et al , 2006; Sechopoulos, 2013; Sechopoulos and Ghetti, 2009; Tucker et al , 2012; Tucker et al , 2013; Van de Sompel et al , 2011; Wu et al , 2004; Ren et al , 2009, Young et al, 2013) Most of these studies have involved modeling of the tomosynthesis systems and some included modeling of the observers. Very few of the investigations have been experimental, in most part due to the unavailability of DBT systems that permit investigation of a wide variety of geometries, and because of the unavailability of realistic breast-simulating physical phantoms.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital breast tomosynthesis: studies of the effects of acquisition geometry on contrast-to-noise ratio and observer preference of low-contrast objects in breast phantom images

et al. 2014

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The effect of acquisition geometry in digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) was evaluated with studies of contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) and observer preference. Contrast-detail (CD) test objects in 5 cm thick phantoms with breast-like backgrounds were imaged. Twelve different angular acquisitions (average glandular dose for each ~1.1 mGy) were performed ranging from narrow angle 16° with 17 projection views (16d17p) to wide angle 64d17p. Focal slices of SART-reconstructed images of the CD arrays were selected for CNR computations and the reader preference study. For the latter, pairs of images obtained with different acquisition geometries were randomized and scored by 7 trained readers. The total scores for all images and readings for each acquisition geometry were compared as were the CNRs. In general, readers preferred images acquired with wide angle as opposed to narrow angle geometries. The mean percent preferred was highly correlated with tomosynthesis angle (R=0.91). The highest scoring geometries were 60d21p (95%), 64d17p (80%), and 48d17p (72%); the lowest scoring were 16d17p (4%), 24d9p (17%) and 24d13p (33%). The measured CNRs for the various acquisitions showed much overlap but were overall highest for wide-angle acquisitions. Finally, the mean reader scores were well correlated with the mean CNRs (R=0.83).

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The CNR method in scan angle optimization of tomosynthesis and its limitations

Cited by 6 publications

References 5 publications

Image quality of microcalcifications in digital breast tomosynthesis: Effects of projection-view distributions

Image quality of microcalcifications in digital breast tomosynthesis: Effects of projection-view distributions

A review of breast tomosynthesis. Part I. The image acquisition process

Digital breast tomosynthesis: studies of the effects of acquisition geometry on contrast-to-noise ratio and observer preference of low-contrast objects in breast phantom images

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