Dedicated breast CT: Radiation dose and image quality evaluation

Citation
Jm. Boone et al., Dedicated breast CT: Radiation dose and image quality evaluation, RADIOLOGY, 221(3), 2001, pp. 657-667
Citations number
54
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Radiology ,Nuclear Medicine & Imaging","Medical Research Diagnosis & Treatment
Journal title
RADIOLOGY
ISSN journal
0033-8419 → ACNP
Volume
221
Issue
3
Year of publication
2001
Pages
657 - 667
Database
ISI
SICI code
0033-8419(200112)221:3<657:DBCRDA>2.0.ZU;2-W
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of breast computed tomography (CT) in terms of radiation dose and image quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Validated Monte Carlo simulation techniques were use d to estimate the average glandular dose (AGD). The calculated photon fluen ce at the detector for high-quality abdominal CT (120 kVp, 300 mAs, 5-mm se ction thickness) was the benchmark for assessing the milliampere seconds an d corresponding radiation dose necessary for breast CT. Image noise was mea sured by using a 10-cm-diameter cylinder imaged with a clinical CT scanner at 10-300 mAs for 80, 100, and 120 kVp. A cadaveric breast was imaged in th e coronal plane to approximate the acquisition geometry of a proposed breas t CT scanner. RESULTS: The AGD for 80-kVp breast CT was comparable to that for two-view m ammography of 5-cm breasts (compressed breast thickness). For thicker breas ts, the breast CT dose was about one-third less than that for two-view mamm ography. The maximum dose at mammography assessed in 1-mm(3) voxels was far higher (20.0 mGy) than that at breast CT (5.4 mGy) for a typical 5-cm 50% glandular breast. CT images of an 8-cm cadaveric breast (AGD, 6.3 mGy) were subjectively superior to digital mammograms (AGD, 10.1 mGy) of the same sp ecimen. CONCLUSION: The potential of high signal-to-noise ratio images with low ana tomic noise, which are obtainable at dose levels comparable to those for ma mmography, suggests that dedicated breast CT should be studied further for its potential in breast cancer screening and diagnosis.