Application of a Dynamic 4D Anthropomorphic Breast Phantom in Contrast-Based Imaging System Optimization: Dual-Energy or Temporal Subtraction?

摘要

We previously developed a dynamic 4D anthropomorphic breast phantom, which can be used to optimize contrast-based breast imaging systems, accounting for patient variability and contrast kinetics [1]. In this study we aim to compare the performance of contrast-enhanced mammographic and tomosyn-thesis imaging protocols followed by temporal subtraction and dual-energy subtraction, qualitatively and quantitatively across a couple of patient models. Signal-difference-to-noise ratio (SDNR) is measured for the six paradigms of contrast enhanced, temporally subtracted, and dual-energy subtracted mammo-graphy and tomosynthesis and compared. The results show how the performance is more dependent on the breast model in mammography than in tomosynthesis. Also, it is observed that dual-energy subtraction can be beneficial in mammography, whereas it is not advantageous in tomosynthesis. Lastly, the results suggest that temporal subtraction in general outperforms dual-energy subtraction.