Development and Characterization of Novel Volumetric Acquisition Orbits With an Application Specific Emission Tomograph for Improved Breast Cancer Detection

摘要

The overall goal of this work is to develop, implement, and evaluate novel three-dimensional acquisition orbits used in conjunction with a dedicated emission mammotomography system, to be used as a potential secondary diagnostic tool. This novel nuclear medicine based molecular imaging technique utilizes camera trajectories that sample a pendant, uncompressed breast, which are evaluated with respect to various breast shapes and sizes. Phantom measurements have demonstrated that lesions near the chest wall can be visualized for both large and small sized breasts, and furthermore, that axillary imaging is possible even with minimal system tilt. The use of additional bed shielding, simulated here with a lead sheet, was also investigated. Preliminary results suggest the lead shield may hinder lesion detectability. Future work includes the addition of a patient bed, which is expected to further complicate positioning, and which may or may not include lead lining pending further studies.