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Cone-Beam Computed Tomography for Breast Imaging

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jradnu.2008.12.003Get rights and content

This article reviews the many modalities used today in the screening and diagnostic work-up of breast cancer, the second most common cause of cancer (after skin cancer) and the second most common cause of cancer death (after lung cancer) in women in the United States today.

Newer technologies in breast imaging are also described, in particular the Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) as developed at the University of Rochester Medical Center. CBCT is a three-dimensional imaging modality which has potential in the screening and diagnostic work-up of women who may have breast cancer. Pilot studies show good coverage of the breast with adequate visualization of parenchymal detail and acceptable radiation dose in comparison with the gold standard of mammography.

Section snippets

Introduction: perspective

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed non-skin cancer in women, accounting for 26% of cancer occurrence (American Cancer Society, 2007). It is the second leading cause of cancer death among all women (only lung cancer is more common). Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in females 40 to 59 years of age (American Cancer Society, 2007, Jemal et al., 2007). Early detection, which is associated with an increased survival rate, is the primary method to contain the disease (Hendrick

Results of the University of Rochester Pilot Study of Normal Volunteers are as Follows (Unpublished)

  • (1)

    Breast Coverage: Adequate coverage was made possible by table design with several aperture modifications, allowing the shoulder to relax into the imaging field, therefore, giving good coverage from the chest wall to anterior nipple line.

  • (2)

    Image Quality: Compression is essential in mammography to obtain optimal images. This is of paramount importance in producing good images because reduced breast thickness leads to reduced scatter and also reduces exposure time, which leads to decreased motion

Conclusion

CBCT technology of the breast appears to be comparable to mammography in visualizing all types of breast parenchyma and may be superior in lesion detection because of removal of structural overlap because of the tomographic nature of the modality. Imaging of the volunteers in the University of Rochester Medical Center pilot study showed that this is an exciting new technology with great potential for 3D imaging of the breast with wide-ranging applications not only for breast imaging but also

Acknowledgment

NIH grant support. This manuscript has not been previously presented.

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