1
|
Mettivier G, Lai Y, Jia X, Russo P. Virtual dosimetry study with three cone-beam breast computed tomography scanners using a fast GPU-based Monte Carlo code. Phys Med Biol 2024; 69:045028. [PMID: 38237186 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ad2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Objective. To compare the dosimetric performance of three cone-beam breast computed tomography (BCT) scanners, using real-time Monte Carlo-based dose estimates obtained with the virtual clinical trials (VCT)-BREAST graphical processing unit (GPU)-accelerated platform dedicated to VCT in breast imaging. Approach. A GPU-based Monte Carlo (MC) code was developed for replicatingin silicothe geometric, x-ray spectra and detector setups adopted, respectively, in two research scanners and one commercial BCT scanner, adopting 80 kV, 60 kV and 49 kV tube voltage, respectively. Our cohort of virtual breasts included 16 anthropomorphic voxelized breast phantoms from a publicly available dataset. For each virtual patient, we simulated exams on the three scanners, up to a nominal simulated mean glandular dose of 5 mGy (primary photons launched, in the order of 1011-1012per scan). Simulated 3D dose maps (recorded for skin, adipose and glandular tissues) were compared for the same phantom, on the three scanners. MC simulations were implemented on a single NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 graphics card.Main results.Using the spread of the dose distribution as a figure of merit, we showed that, in the investigated phantoms, the glandular dose is more uniform within less dense breasts, and it is more uniformly distributed for scans at 80 kV and 60 kV, than at 49 kV. A realistic virtual study of each breast phantom was completed in about 3.0 h with less than 1% statistical uncertainty, with 109primary photons processed in 3.6 s computing time.Significance. We reported the first dosimetric study of the VCT-BREAST platform, a fast MC simulation tool for real-time virtual dosimetry and imaging trials in BCT, investigating the dose delivery performance of three clinical BCT scanners. This tool can be adopted to investigate also the effects on the 3D dose distribution produced by changes in the geometrical and spectrum characteristics of a cone-beam BCT scanner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Mettivier
- Dipartimento di Fisica 'Ettore Pancini', Università di Napoli Federico II, I-80126 Naples, Italy
- INFN Sezione di Napoli, I-80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Youfang Lai
- Innovative Technology of Radiotherapy Computation and Hardware (iTORCH) Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 752878, United States of America
| | - Xun Jia
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States of America
| | - Paolo Russo
- Dipartimento di Fisica 'Ettore Pancini', Università di Napoli Federico II, I-80126 Naples, Italy
- INFN Sezione di Napoli, I-80126 Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Arana Peña LM, Donato S, Bonazza D, Brombal L, Martellani F, Arfelli F, Tromba G, Longo R. Multiscale X-ray phase-contrast tomography: From breast CT to micro-CT for virtual histology. Phys Med 2023; 112:102640. [PMID: 37441823 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2023.102640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Phase-contrast imaging techniques address the issue of poor soft-tissue contrast encountered in traditional X-ray imaging. This can be accomplished with the propagation-based phase-contrast technique by employing a coherent photon beam, which is available at synchrotron facilities, as well as long sample-to-detector distances. This study demonstrates the optimization of propagation-based phase-contrast computed tomography (CT) techniques for multiscale X-ray imaging of the breast at the Elettra synchrotron facility (Trieste, Italy). Two whole breast mastectomy samples were acquired with propagation-based breast-CT using a monochromatic synchrotron beam at a pixel size of 60 µm. Paraffin-embedded blocks sampled from the same tissues were scanned with propagation-based micro-CT imaging using a polychromatic synchrotron beam at a pixel size of 4 µm. Images of both methodologies and of the same sample were spatially registered. The resulting images showed the transition from whole breast imaging with propagation-based breast-CT methodology to virtual histology with propagation-based micro-CT imaging of the same sample. Additionally, conventional histological images were matched to virtual histology images. Phase-contrast images offer a high resolution with low noise, which allows for a highly precise match between virtual and conventional histology. Furthermore, those techniques allow a clear discernment of breast structures, lesions, and microcalcifications, being a promising clinically-compatible tool for breast imaging in a multiscale approach, to either assist in the detection of cancer in full volume breast samples or to complement structure identification in paraffin-embedded breast tissue samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L M Arana Peña
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio 2, Trieste I-34127, Italy; INFN Division of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, SS 14 Km 163,5, AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, (Trieste), Italy
| | - S Donato
- Department of Physics and STAR Lab, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 31C, Rende, (CS), I-87036, Italy; INFN Division of Frascati, Via E. Fermi 54, Frascati I-00044, Italy.
| | - D Bonazza
- Unit of Surgical Pathology, Cattinara Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliana Isontina (ASUGI), Strada di Fiume, 447, Trieste I-34149, Italy
| | - L Brombal
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio 2, Trieste I-34127, Italy; INFN Division of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - F Martellani
- Unit of Surgical Pathology, Cattinara Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliana Isontina (ASUGI), Strada di Fiume, 447, Trieste I-34149, Italy
| | - F Arfelli
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio 2, Trieste I-34127, Italy; INFN Division of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - G Tromba
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, SS 14 Km 163,5, AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, (Trieste), Italy
| | - R Longo
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio 2, Trieste I-34127, Italy; INFN Division of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Donato S, Brombal L, Arana Peña LM, Arfelli F, Contillo A, Delogu P, Di Lillo F, Di Trapani V, Fanti V, Longo R, Oliva P, Rigon L, Stori L, Tromba G, Golosio B. Optimization of a customized simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique algorithm for phase-contrast breast computed tomography. Phys Med Biol 2022; 67. [DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ac65d4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Objective. To introduce the optimization of a customized GPU-based simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (cSART) in the field of phase-contrast breast computed tomography (bCT). The presented algorithm features a 3D bilateral regularization filter that can be tuned to yield optimal performance for clinical image visualization and tissues segmentation. Approach. Acquisitions of a dedicated test object and a breast specimen were performed at Elettra, the Italian synchrotron radiation (SR) facility (Trieste, Italy) using a large area CdTe single-photon counting detector. Tomographic images were obtained at 5 mGy of mean glandular dose, with a 32 keV monochromatic x-ray beam in the free-space propagation mode. Three independent algorithms parameters were optimized by using contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), spatial resolution, and noise texture metrics. The results obtained with the cSART algorithm were compared with conventional SART and filtered back projection (FBP) reconstructions. Image segmentation was performed both with gray scale-based and supervised machine-learning approaches. Main results. Compared to conventional FBP reconstructions, results indicate that the proposed algorithm can yield images with a higher CNR (by 35% or more), retaining a high spatial resolution while preserving their textural properties. Alternatively, at the cost of an increased image ‘patchiness’, the cSART can be tuned to achieve a high-quality tissue segmentation, suggesting the possibility of performing an accurate glandularity estimation potentially of use in the realization of realistic 3D breast models starting from low radiation dose images. Significance. The study indicates that dedicated iterative reconstruction techniques could provide significant advantages in phase-contrast bCT imaging. The proposed algorithm offers great flexibility in terms of image reconstruction optimization, either toward diagnostic evaluation or image segmentation.
Collapse
|
4
|
Brombal L, Arana Peña LM, Arfelli F, Longo R, Brun F, Contillo A, Di Lillo F, Tromba G, Di Trapani V, Donato S, Menk RH, Rigon L. Motion artifacts assessment and correction using optical tracking in synchrotron radiation breast CT. Med Phys 2021; 48:5343-5355. [PMID: 34252212 PMCID: PMC9291820 DOI: 10.1002/mp.15084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The SYRMA‐3D collaboration is setting up a breast computed tomography (bCT) clinical program at the Elettra synchrotron radiation facility in Trieste, Italy. Unlike the few dedicated scanners available at hospitals, synchrotron radiation bCT requires the patient's rotation, which in turn implies a long scan duration (from tens of seconds to few minutes). At the same time, it allows the achievement of high spatial resolution. These features make synchrotron radiation bCT prone to motion artifacts. This article aims at assessing and compensating for motion artifacts through an optical tracking approach. Methods In this study, patients’ movements due to breathing have been first assessed on seven volunteers and then simulated during the CT scans of a breast phantom and a surgical specimen, by adding a periodic oscillatory motion (constant speed, 1 mm amplitude, 12 cycles/minute). CT scans were carried out at 28 keV with a mean glandular dose of 5 mGy. Motion artifacts were evaluated and a correction algorithm based on the optical tracking of fiducial marks was introduced. A quantitative analysis based on the structural similarity (SSIM) index and the normalized mean square error (nMSE) was performed on the reconstructed CT images. Results CT images reconstructed through the optical tracking procedure were found to be as good as the motionless reference image. Moreover, the analysis of SSIM and nMSE demonstrated that an uncorrected motion of the order of the system's point spread function (around 0.1 mm in the present case) can be tolerated. Conclusions Results suggest that a motion correction procedure based on an optical tracking system would be beneficial in synchrotron radiation bCT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Brombal
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Division of Trieste, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lucia Mariel Arana Peña
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Division of Trieste, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fulvia Arfelli
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Division of Trieste, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Trieste, Italy
| | - Renata Longo
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Division of Trieste, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesco Brun
- Division of Trieste, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Trieste, Italy.,Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Vittorio Di Trapani
- Department of Physical sciences, Earth and environment, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.,Division of Pisa, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sandro Donato
- Department of Physics, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy.,Division of Frascati, Istituto Nazionale di Fisca Nucleare, Frascati, Rome, Italy
| | - Ralf Hendrik Menk
- Division of Trieste, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Trieste, Italy.,Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medical Imaging, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Luigi Rigon
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Division of Trieste, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sarno A, Tucciariello RM, Mettivier G, Del Sarto D, Fantacci ME, Russo P. Normalized glandular dose coefficients for digital breast tomosynthesis systems with a homogeneous breast model. Phys Med Biol 2021; 66:065024. [PMID: 33535193 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/abe2e9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
This work aims at calculating and releasing tabulated values of dose conversion coefficients, DgNDBT, for mean glandular dose (MGD) estimates in digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT). The DgNDBT coefficients are proposed as unique conversion coefficients for MGD estimates, in place of dose conversion coefficients in mammography (DgNDM or c, g, s triad as proposed in worldwide quality assurance protocols) used together with the T correction factor. DgNDBT is the MGD per unit incident air kerma measured at the breast surface for a 0° projection and the entire tube load used for the scan. The dataset of polyenergetic DgNDBT coefficients was derived via a Monte Carlo software based on the Geant4 toolkit. Dose coefficients were calculated for a grid of values of breast characteristics (breast thickness in the range 20-90 mm and glandular fraction by mass of 1%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) and the simulated geometries, scan protocols, irradiation geometries and typical spectral qualities replicated those of six commercial DBT systems (GE SenoClaire, Hologic Selenia Dimensions, GE Senographe Pristina, Fujifilm Amulet Innovality, Siemens Mammomat Inspiration and IMS Giotto Class). For given breast characteristics, target/filter combination, tube voltage and half value layer (HVL), two spectra with two HVL values have been simulated in order to permit MGD estimates from experimental HVL values via mathematical interpolation from tabulated values. The adopted breast model assumes homogenous composition of glandular and adipose tissues; it includes a 1.45 mm thick skin envelope in place of the 4-5 mm envelope commonly adopted in dosimetry protocols. The simulation code was validated versus AAPM Task group 195 Monte Carlo reference data sets (absolute differences not higher than 1.1%) and by comparison to relative dosimetry measurements with radiochromic film in a PMMA test object (differences within the maximum experimental uncertainty of 11%). The calculated coefficients show maximum relative deviations of -17.6% and +6.1% from those provided by the DBT dose coefficients adopted in the EUREF protocol and of 1.5%, on average, from data in the AAPM TG223 report. A spreadsheet is provided for interpolating the tabulated DgNDBT coefficients for arbitrary values of HVL, compressed breast thickness and glandular fraction, in the corresponding investigated ranges, for each DBT unit modeled in this work.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Sarno
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione di Napoli, Napoli, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tseng HW, Karellas A, Vedantham S. Radiation dosimetry of a clinical prototype dedicated cone-beam breast CT system with offset detector. Med Phys 2021; 48:1079-1088. [PMID: 33501686 DOI: 10.1002/mp.14688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE A clinical-prototype, dedicated, cone-beam breast computed tomography (CBBCT) system with offset detector is undergoing clinical evaluation at our institution. This study is to estimate the normalized glandular dose coefficients ( DgN CT ) that provide air kerma-to-mean glandular dose conversion factors using Monte Carlo simulations. MATERIALS AND METHODS The clinical prototype CBBCT system uses 49 kV x-ray spectrum with 1.39 mm 1st half-value layer thickness. Monte Carlo simulations (GATE, version 8) were performed with semi-ellipsoidal, homogeneous breasts of various fibroglandular weight fractions ( f g = 0.01 , 0.15 , 0.5 , 1 ) , chest wall diameters ( d = 8 , 10 , 14 , 18 , 20 cm), and chest wall to nipple length ( l = 0.75 d ), aligned with the axis of rotation (AOR) located at 65 cm from the focal spot to determine the DgN CT . Three geometries were considered - 40 × 30 -cm detector with no offset that served as reference and corresponds to a clinical CBBCT system, 30 × 30 -cm detector with 5 cm offset, and a 30 × 30 -cm detector with 10 cm offset. RESULTS For 5 cm lateral offset, the DgN CT ranged 0.177 - 0.574 mGy/mGy and reduction in DgN CT with respect to reference geometry was observed only for 18 cm ( 6.4 % ± 0.23 % ) and 20 cm ( 9.6 % ± 0.22 % ) diameter breasts. For the 10 cm lateral offset, the DgN CT ranged 0.221 - 0.581 mGy/mGy and reduction in DgN CT was observed for all breast diameters. The reduction in DgN CT was 1.4 % ± 0.48 % , 7.1 % ± 0.13 % , 17.5 % ± 0.19 % , 25.1 % ± 0.15 % , and 27.7 % ± 0.08 % for 8, 10, 14, 18, and 20 cm diameter breasts, respectively. For a given breast diameter, the reduction in DgN CT with offset-detector geometries was not dependent on f g . Numerical fits of DgN CT d , l , f g were generated for each geometry. CONCLUSION The DgN CT and the numerical fit, D g N CT d , l , f g would be of benefit for current CBBCT systems using the reference geometry and for future generations using offset-detector geometry. There exists a potential for radiation dose reduction with offset-detector geometry, provided the same technique factors as the reference geometry are used, and the image quality is clinically acceptable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsin Wu Tseng
- Department of Medical Imaging, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Andrew Karellas
- Department of Medical Imaging, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Srinivasan Vedantham
- Department of Medical Imaging, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Oliva P, Di Trapani V, Arfelli F, Brombal L, Donato S, Golosio B, Longo R, Mettivier G, Rigon L, Taibi A, Tromba G, Zanconati F, Delogu P. Experimental optimization of the energy for breast-CT with synchrotron radiation. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17430. [PMID: 33060795 PMCID: PMC7567093 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74607-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast Computed Tomography (bCT) is a three-dimensional imaging technique that is raising interest among radiologists as a viable alternative to mammographic planar imaging. In X-rays imaging it would be desirable to maximize the capability of discriminating different tissues, described by the Contrast to Noise Ratio (CNR), while minimizing the dose (i.e. the radiological risk). Both dose and CNR are functions of the X-ray energy. This work aims at experimentally investigating the optimal energy that, at fixed dose, maximizes the CNR between glandular and adipose tissues. Acquisitions of both tissue-equivalent phantoms and actual breast specimens have been performed with the bCT system implemented within the Syrma-3D collaboration at the Syrmep beamline of the Elettra synchrotron (Trieste). The experimental data have been also compared with analytical simulations and the results are in agreement. The CNR is maximized at energies around 26–28 keV. These results are in line with the outcomes of a previously presented simulation study which determined an optimal energy of 28 keV for a large set of breast phantoms with different diameters and glandular fractions. Finally, a study on photon starvation has been carried out to investigate how far the dose can be reduced still having suitable images for diagnostics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Piernicola Oliva
- Dipartimento Di Chimica E Farmacia, Università Di Sassari, Sassari, Italy.,I.N.F.N. Sezione Di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Vittorio Di Trapani
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Fisiche, Della Terra E Dell'Ambiente, Università Di Siena, Siena, Italy. .,I.N.F.N. Sezione Di Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Fulvia Arfelli
- Dipartimento Di Fisica, Università Di Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,I.N.F.N. Sezione Di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Luca Brombal
- Dipartimento Di Fisica, Università Di Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,I.N.F.N. Sezione Di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sandro Donato
- Dipartimento Di Fisica, Università Della Calabria, Cosenza, Italy.,I.N.F.N. Laboratori Nazionali Di Frascati, Frascati, Italy.,Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, Basovizza, Italy
| | - Bruno Golosio
- I.N.F.N. Sezione Di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.,Dipartimento Di Fisica, Università Di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Renata Longo
- Dipartimento Di Fisica, Università Di Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,I.N.F.N. Sezione Di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Mettivier
- Dipartimento Di Fisica, Università Di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy.,I.N.F.N. Sezione Di Napoli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Luigi Rigon
- Dipartimento Di Fisica, Università Di Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,I.N.F.N. Sezione Di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Angelo Taibi
- Dipartimento Di Fisica E Scienze Della Terra, Università Di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,I.N.F.N. Sezione Di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Mediche Chirurgiche E Della Salute, Università Di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Pasquale Delogu
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Fisiche, Della Terra E Dell'Ambiente, Università Di Siena, Siena, Italy.,I.N.F.N. Sezione Di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Mettivier G, Masi M, Arfelli F, Brombal L, Delogu P, Di Lillo F, Donato S, Fedon C, Golosio B, Oliva P, Rigon L, Sarno A, Taibi A, Russo P. Radiochromic film dosimetry in synchrotron radiation breast computed tomography: a phantom study. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2020; 27:762-771. [PMID: 32381779 PMCID: PMC7285685 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577520001745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study relates to the INFN project SYRMA-3D for in vivo phase-contrast breast computed tomography using the SYRMEP synchrotron radiation beamline at the ELETTRA facility in Trieste, Italy. This peculiar imaging technique uses a novel dosimetric approach with respect to the standard clinical procedure. In this study, optimization of the acquisition procedure was evaluated in terms of dose delivered to the breast. An offline dose monitoring method was also investigated using radiochromic film dosimetry. Various irradiation geometries have been investigated for scanning the prone patient's pendant breast, simulated by a 14 cm-diameter polymethylmethacrylate cylindrical phantom containing pieces of calibrated radiochromic film type XR-QA2. Films were inserted mid-plane in the phantom, as well as wrapped around its external surface, and irradiated at 38 keV, with an air kerma value that would produce an estimated mean glandular dose of 5 mGy for a 14 cm-diameter 50% glandular breast. Axial scans were performed over a full rotation or over 180°. The results point out that a scheme adopting a stepped rotation irradiation represents the best geometry to optimize the dose distribution to the breast. The feasibility of using a piece of calibrated radiochromic film wrapped around a suitable holder around the breast to monitor the scan dose offline is demonstrated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Mettivier
- Dipartimento di Fisica ‘Ettore Pancini’, Università di Napoli ‘Federico II’, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
- INFN, Sezione di Napoli, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Marica Masi
- Dipartimento di Fisica ‘Ettore Pancini’, Università di Napoli ‘Federico II’, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
- INFN, Sezione di Napoli, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Fulvia Arfelli
- Department of Physics, Università di Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
- Sezione di Trieste, INFN, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Luca Brombal
- Department of Physics, Università di Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
- Sezione di Trieste, INFN, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Pasquale Delogu
- Department of Physical Science, Earth and Environment, Università di Siena, I-53100 Siena, Italy
- Sezione di Pisa, INFN, I-34127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Lillo
- Dipartimento di Fisica ‘Ettore Pancini’, Università di Napoli ‘Federico II’, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
- INFN, Sezione di Napoli, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
- ELETTRA-Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, Bassovizza, I-34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Sandro Donato
- Department of Physics, Università di Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
- Sezione di Trieste, INFN, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Christian Fedon
- Sezione di Trieste, INFN, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bruno Golosio
- Department of Physics, Università di Cagliari, I-09042 Cagliari, Italy
- Sezione di Cagliari, INFN, I-09042 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Piernicola Oliva
- Sezione di Cagliari, INFN, I-09042 Cagliari, Italy
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Università di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Luigi Rigon
- Department of Physics, Università di Trieste, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
- Sezione di Trieste, INFN, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Angelo Taibi
- Department of Physics and Earth Science, Università di Ferrara, I-44122 Ferrara, Italy
- Sezione di Ferrara, INFN, I-44122 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paolo Russo
- Dipartimento di Fisica ‘Ettore Pancini’, Università di Napoli ‘Federico II’, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
- INFN, Sezione di Napoli, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Donato S, Arfelli F, Brombal L, Longo R, Pinto A, Rigon L, Dreossi D. Flattening filter for Gaussian-shaped monochromatic X-ray beams: an application to breast computed tomography. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2020; 27:503-506. [PMID: 32153291 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577519016643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The vertical intensity distribution of synchrotron-based X-ray beams usually has a Gaussian profile encompassing large intensity variations. For biomedical imaging applications this may entail sub-optimal dose distributions and large fluctuations in terms of image noise. Commonly, planar metallic filters coupled with absorbing slits systems are applied to adjust the delivered flux and to limit intensity variations, respectively. The latter results in a reduction of the effective beam size. A flattening filter that counterbalances the transverse inhomogeneity, while retaining a sufficient flux, has been developed in the context of a monochromatic phase-contrast breast computed tomography application, ongoing at the Elettra synchrotron facility. The implementation of the new filtration system results in homogeneous intensity (hence dose) distribution and signal-to-noise ratio across the imaged volume. Finally, and most importantly, it allows a wider portion of the beam to be used, directly translating into a major (∼40%) reduction of the overall scan time for samples requiring a field of view larger than the beam size (i.e. multiple translation steps).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Donato
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fulvia Arfelli
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Luca Brombal
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Renata Longo
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Pinto
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Luigi Rigon
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Diego Dreossi
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Tavakoli Taba S, Baran P, Nesterets YI, Pacile S, Wienbeck S, Dullin C, Pavlov K, Maksimenko A, Lockie D, Mayo SC, Quiney HM, Dreossi D, Arfelli F, Tromba G, Lewis S, Gureyev TE, Brennan PC. Comparison of propagation-based CT using synchrotron radiation and conventional cone-beam CT for breast imaging. Eur Radiol 2020; 30:2740-2750. [DOI: 10.1007/s00330-019-06567-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
|
11
|
Brombal L, Arfelli F, Delogu P, Donato S, Mettivier G, Michielsen K, Oliva P, Taibi A, Sechopoulos I, Longo R, Fedon C. Image quality comparison between a phase-contrast synchrotron radiation breast CT and a clinical breast CT: a phantom based study. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17778. [PMID: 31780707 PMCID: PMC6882794 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54131-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study we compared the image quality of a synchrotron radiation (SR) breast computed tomography (BCT) system with a clinical BCT in terms of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), noise power spectrum (NPS), spatial resolution and detail visibility. A breast phantom consisting of several slabs of breast-adipose equivalent material with different embedded targets (i.e., masses, fibers and calcifications) was used. Phantom images were acquired using a dedicated BCT system installed at the Radboud University Medical Center (Nijmegen, The Netherlands) and the SR BCT system at the SYRMEP beamline of Elettra SR facility (Trieste, Italy) based on a photon-counting detector. Images with the SR setup were acquired mimicking the clinical BCT conditions (i.e., energy of 30 keV and radiation dose of 6.5 mGy). Images were reconstructed with an isotropic cubic voxel of 273 µm for the clinical BCT, while for the SR setup two phase-retrieval (PhR) kernels (referred to as “smooth” and “sharp”) were alternatively applied to each projection before tomographic reconstruction, with voxel size of 57 × 57 × 50 µm3. The CNR for the clinical BCT system can be up to 2-times higher than SR system, while the SNR can be 3-times lower than SR system, when the smooth PhR is used. The peak frequency of the NPS for the SR BCT is 2 to 4-times higher (0.9 mm−1 and 1.4 mm−1 with smooth and sharp PhR, respectively) than the clinical BCT (0.4 mm−1). The spatial resolution (MTF10%) was estimated to be 1.3 lp/mm for the clinical BCT, and 5.0 lp/mm and 6.7 lp/mm for the SR BCT with the smooth and sharp PhR, respectively. The smallest fiber visible in the SR BCT has a diameter of 0.15 mm, while for the clinical BCT is 0.41 mm. Calcification clusters with diameter of 0.13 mm are visible in the SR BCT, while the smallest diameter for the clinical BCT is 0.29 mm. As expected, the image quality of the SR BCT outperforms the clinical BCT system, providing images with higher spatial resolution and SNR, and with finer granularity. Nevertheless, this study assesses the image quality gap quantitatively, giving indications on the benefits associated with SR BCT and providing a benchmarking basis for its clinical implementation. In addition, SR-based studies can provide a gold-standard in terms of achievable image quality, constituting an upper-limit to the potential clinical development of a given technique.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Brombal
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy.,INFN Division of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fulvia Arfelli
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy.,INFN Division of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Pasquale Delogu
- Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy.,INFN Division of Pisa, 56127, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sandro Donato
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy.,INFN Division of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Mettivier
- Department of Physics, University of Napoli Federico II, 80126, Fuorigrotta Napoli, Italy.,INFN Division of Napoli, 80126, Fuorigrotta Napoli, Italy
| | - Koen Michielsen
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Piernicola Oliva
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100, Sassari, Italy.,INFN Division of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato Cagliari, Italy
| | - Angelo Taibi
- Department of Physics and Earth Science, University of Ferrara, 44122, Ferrara, Italy.,INFN Division of Ferrara, 44122, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Ioannis Sechopoulos
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Dutch Expert Center for Screening (LRCB), 6503 GJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Renata Longo
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy. .,INFN Division of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Christian Fedon
- INFN Division of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy.,Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Optimization of the energy for Breast monochromatic absorption X-ray Computed Tomography. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13135. [PMID: 31511550 PMCID: PMC6739417 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49351-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The limits of mammography have led to an increasing interest on possible alternatives such as the breast Computed Tomography (bCT). The common goal of all X-ray imaging techniques is to achieve the optimal contrast resolution, measured through the Contrast to Noise Ratio (CNR), while minimizing the radiological risks, quantified by the dose. Both dose and CNR depend on the energy and the intensity of the X-rays employed for the specific imaging technique. Some attempts to determine an optimal energy for bCT have suggested the range 22 keV-34 keV, some others instead suggested the range 50 keV-60 keV depending on the parameters considered in the study. Recent experimental works, based on the use of monochromatic radiation and breast specimens, show that energies around 32 keV give better image quality respect to setups based on higher energies. In this paper we report a systematic study aiming at defining the range of energies that maximizes the CNR at fixed dose in bCT. The study evaluates several compositions and diameters of the breast and includes various reconstruction algorithms as well as different dose levels. The results show that a good compromise between CNR and dose is obtained using energies around 28 keV.
Collapse
|
13
|
Piai A, Contillo A, Arfelli F, Bonazza D, Brombal L, Assunta Cova M, Delogu P, Di Trapani V, Donato S, Golosio B, Mettivier G, Oliva P, Rigon L, Taibi A, Tonutti M, Tromba G, Zanconati F, Longo R. Quantitative characterization of breast tissues with dedicated CT imaging. Phys Med Biol 2019; 64:155011. [PMID: 31234148 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ab2c29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
A quantitative characterization of the soft tissues composing the human breast is achieved by means of a monochromatic CT phase-contrast imaging system, through accurate measurements of their attenuation coefficients within the energy range of interest for breast CT clinical examinations. Quantitative measurements of linear attenuation coefficients are performed on tomographic reconstructions of surgical samples, using monochromatic x-ray beams from a synchrotron source and a free space propagation setup. An online calibration is performed on the obtained reconstructions, in order to reassess the validity of the standard calibration procedure of the CT scanner. Three types of healthy tissues (adipose, glandular, and skin) and malignant tumors, when present, are considered from each sample. The measured attenuation coefficients are in very good agreement with the outcomes of similar studies available in the literature, although they span an energy range that was mostly neglected in the previous studies. No globally significant differences are observed between healthy and malignant dense tissues, although the number of considered samples does not appear sufficient to address the issue of a quantitative differentiation of tumors. The study assesses the viability of the proposed methodology for the measurement of linear attenuation coefficients, and provides a denser sampling of attenuation data in the energy range useful to breast CT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Piai
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 2, 34127 Trieste, Italy. INFN Division of Trieste, Via Valerio 2, 34127 Trieste, Italy. Present address: Department of Physics, University of Milan, Via G. Celoria 16, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Longo R, Arfelli F, Bonazza D, Bottigli U, Brombal L, Contillo A, Cova MA, Delogu P, Di Lillo F, Di Trapani V, Donato S, Dreossi D, Fanti V, Fedon C, Golosio B, Mettivier G, Oliva P, Pacilè S, Sarno A, Rigon L, Russo P, Taibi A, Tonutti M, Zanconati F, Tromba G. Advancements towards the implementation of clinical phase-contrast breast computed tomography at Elettra. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2019; 26:1343-1353. [PMID: 31274463 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577519005502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Breast computed tomography (BCT) is an emerging application of X-ray tomography in radiological practice. A few clinical prototypes are under evaluation in hospitals and new systems are under development aiming at improving spatial and contrast resolution and reducing delivered dose. At the same time, synchrotron-radiation phase-contrast mammography has been demonstrated to offer substantial advantages when compared with conventional mammography. At Elettra, the Italian synchrotron radiation facility, a clinical program of phase-contrast BCT based on the free-space propagation approach is under development. In this paper, full-volume breast samples imaged with a beam energy of 32 keV delivering a mean glandular dose of 5 mGy are presented. The whole acquisition setup mimics a clinical study in order to evaluate its feasibility in terms of acquisition time and image quality. Acquisitions are performed using a high-resolution CdTe photon-counting detector and the projection data are processed via a phase-retrieval algorithm. Tomographic reconstructions are compared with conventional mammographic images acquired prior to surgery and with histologic examinations. Results indicate that BCT with monochromatic beam and free-space propagation phase-contrast imaging provide relevant three-dimensional insights of breast morphology at clinically acceptable doses and scan times.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renata Longo
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fulvia Arfelli
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Deborah Bonazza
- Department of Medical Science, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Ubaldo Bottigli
- Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Luca Brombal
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Adriano Contillo
- Department of Physics and Earth Science, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maria A Cova
- Department of Medical Science, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Pasquale Delogu
- Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Lillo
- Department of Physics `E. Pancini', University of Napoli `Federico II', 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Vittorio Di Trapani
- Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Sandro Donato
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Diego Dreossi
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Viviana Fanti
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | | | - Bruno Golosio
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Giovanni Mettivier
- Department of Physics `E. Pancini', University of Napoli `Federico II', 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Serena Pacilè
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Antonio Sarno
- Department of Physics `E. Pancini', University of Napoli `Federico II', 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Luigi Rigon
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Paolo Russo
- Department of Physics `E. Pancini', University of Napoli `Federico II', 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Angelo Taibi
- Department of Physics and Earth Science, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maura Tonutti
- ASUITS, Trieste University Hospital, Department of Radiology, 34100 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical Science, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Sarno A, Tucciariello RM, Mettivier G, di Franco F, Russo P. Monte Carlo calculation of monoenergetic and polyenergetic DgN coefficients for mean glandular dose estimates in mammography using a homogeneous breast model. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 64:125012. [DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ab253f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
|
16
|
Beaudoux V, Blin G, Barbrel B, Kantor G, Zacharatou C. Geant4 physics list comparison for the simulation of phase-contrast mammography (XPulse project). Phys Med 2019; 60:66-75. [PMID: 31000088 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2019.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women. Early and accurate detection of the disease is a major factor in patient survival. To this end, phase-contrast imaging has gained significant interest in recent years. The aim of this work was to validate the physics models of a Geant4 mammography imaging simulation (in the context of the XPulse project) by comparing to EGSnrc results. METHODS We used three Geant4 electromagnetic physics lists of the version 10.4 of the toolkit: Standard, Livermore and Penelope. We calculated energy distributions in homogeneous and inhomogeneous phantoms and breast doses in DICOM images. The simulations used photon beams of energies 20-100 keV. The Geant4 calculations were compared with EGSnrc/DOSXYZnrc simulations. RESULTS We found a very good agreement between the Standard Electromagnetic option 4 and Livermore Physics Lists (within 1% for all beam energies). Larger differences were found between Standard Electromagnetic option 4 and Penelope Physics Lists (about 4%). The agreement of longitudinal energy distributions between Geant4 Standard Electromagnetic option 4 and EGSnrc was good in water and light biological materials, but important discrepancies were found in heavy elements. We confirmed with both codes that dose to the breast is minimal at beam energy around 60 keV. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we found good agreement between the option 4 of the Standard Electromagnetic physics list and Livermore physics lists of Geant4, as well as EGSnrc for materials relevant to mammography screening. Further investigations are needed for the case of heavier materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V Beaudoux
- Bordeaux University, LaBRI, CNRS UMR 5800, F-33400 Talence, France.
| | - G Blin
- Bordeaux University, LaBRI, CNRS UMR 5800, F-33400 Talence, France
| | - B Barbrel
- ALPhANOV Optics and Lasers Technology Center, Bordeaux, France
| | - G Kantor
- Department of Radiotherapy, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center, 229 cours de l'Argonne, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - C Zacharatou
- Department of Radiotherapy, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Center, 229 cours de l'Argonne, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Esposito G, Mettivier G, Bliznakova K, Bliznakov Z, Bosmans H, Bravin A, Buliev I, Di Lillo F, Ivanov D, Minutillo M, Sarno A, Vignero J, Russo P. Investigation of the refractive index decrement of 3D printing materials for manufacturing breast phantoms for phase contrast imaging. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 64:075008. [DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ab0670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
|
18
|
Donato S, Pacile’ S, Brombal L, Tromba G, Longo R. Phase-Contrast Breast-CT: Optimization of Experimental Parameters and Reconstruction Algorithms. IFMBE PROCEEDINGS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-9035-6_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
19
|
Brombal L, Donato S, Dreossi D, Arfelli F, Bonazza D, Contillo A, Delogu P, Di Trapani V, Golosio B, Mettivier G, Oliva P, Rigon L, Taibi A, Longo R. Phase-contrast breast CT: the effect of propagation distance. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 63:24NT03. [DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/aaf2e1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
|
20
|
Brombal L, Golosio B, Arfelli F, Bonazza D, Contillo A, Delogu P, Donato S, Mettivier G, Oliva P, Rigon L, Taibi A, Tromba G, Zanconati F, Longo R. Monochromatic breast computed tomography with synchrotron radiation: phase-contrast and phase-retrieved image comparison and full-volume reconstruction. J Med Imaging (Bellingham) 2018; 6:031402. [PMID: 30525064 DOI: 10.1117/1.jmi.6.3.031402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A program devoted to performing the first in vivo synchrotron radiation (SR) breast computed tomography (BCT) is ongoing at the Elettra facility. Using the high spatial coherence of SR, phase-contrast (PhC) imaging techniques can be used. The latest high-resolution BCT acquisitions of breast specimens, obtained with the propagation-based PhC approach, are herein presented as part of the SYRMA-3D collaboration effort toward the clinical exam. Images are acquired with a 60 - μ m pixel dead-time-free single-photon-counting CdTe detector. The samples are imaged at 32 and 38 keV in a continuous rotating mode, delivering 5 to 20 mGy of mean glandular dose. Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and spatial resolution performances are evaluated for both PhC and phase-retrieved images, showing that by applying the phase-retrieval algorithm a five-time CNR increase can be obtained with a minor loss in spatial resolution across soft tissue interfaces. It is shown that, despite having a poorer CNR, PhC images can provide a sharper visualization of microcalcifications, thus being complementary to phase-retrieved images. Furthermore, the first full-volume scan of a mastectomy sample ( 9 × 9 × 3 cm 3 ) is reported. This investigation into surgical specimens indicates that SR BCT in terms of CNR, spatial resolution, scan duration, and scan volume is feasible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Brombal
- University of Trieste, Department of Physics, Trieste, Italy.,INFN Division of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Bruno Golosio
- University of Cagliari, Department of Physics, Cagliari, Italy.,INFN Division of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Fulvia Arfelli
- University of Trieste, Department of Physics, Trieste, Italy.,INFN Division of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Deborah Bonazza
- University of Trieste, Department of Medical Science, Cattinara Hospital, Trieste, Italy
| | - Adriano Contillo
- University of Ferrara, Department of Physics and Earth Science, Ferrara, Italy.,INFN Division of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Pasquale Delogu
- University of Siena, Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, Siena, Italy.,INFN Division of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sandro Donato
- University of Trieste, Department of Physics, Trieste, Italy.,INFN Division of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Mettivier
- University of Napoli Federico II, Department of Physics, Napoli, Italy.,INFN Division of Napoli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Piernicola Oliva
- University of Sassari, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Sassari, Italy.,INFN Division of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Luigi Rigon
- University of Trieste, Department of Physics, Trieste, Italy.,INFN Division of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Angelo Taibi
- University of Ferrara, Department of Physics and Earth Science, Ferrara, Italy.,INFN Division of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- University of Trieste, Department of Medical Science, Cattinara Hospital, Trieste, Italy
| | - Renata Longo
- University of Trieste, Department of Physics, Trieste, Italy.,INFN Division of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Normalized glandular dose coefficients in mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis and dedicated breast CT. Phys Med 2018; 55:142-148. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Revised: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
|
22
|
Brombal L, Donato S, Brun F, Delogu P, Fanti V, Oliva P, Rigon L, Di Trapani V, Longo R, Golosio B. Large-area single-photon-counting CdTe detector for synchrotron radiation computed tomography: a dedicated pre-processing procedure. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2018; 25:1068-1077. [PMID: 29979168 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577518006197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Large-area CdTe single-photon-counting detectors are becoming more and more attractive in view of low-dose imaging applications due to their high efficiency, low intrinsic noise and absence of a scintillating screen which affects spatial resolution. At present, however, since the dimensions of a single sensor are small (typically a few cm2), multi-module architectures are needed to obtain a large field of view. This requires coping with inter-module gaps and with close-to-edge pixels, which generally show a non-optimal behavior. Moreover, high-Z detectors often show gain variations in time due to charge trapping: this effect is detrimental especially in computed tomography (CT) applications where a single tomographic image requires hundreds of projections continuously acquired in several seconds. This work has been carried out at the SYRMEP beamline of the Elettra synchrotron radiation facility (Trieste, Italy), in the framework of the SYRMA-3D project, which aims to perform the world's first breast-CT clinical study with synchrotron radiation. An ad hoc data pre-processing procedure has been developed for the PIXIRAD-8 CdTe single-photon-counting detector, comprising an array of eight 30.7 mm × 24.8 mm modules tiling a 246 mm × 25 mm sensitive area, which covers the full synchrotron radiation beam. The procedure consists of five building blocks, namely dynamic flat-fielding, gap seaming, dynamic ring removal, projection despeckling and around-gap equalization. Each block is discussed and compared, when existing, with conventional approaches. The effectiveness of the pre-processing is demonstrated for phase-contrast CT images of a human breast specimen. The dynamic nature of the proposed procedure, which provides corrections dependent upon the projection index, allows the effective removal of time-dependent artifacts, preserving the main image features including phase effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Brombal
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Sandro Donato
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Pasquale Delogu
- Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Viviana Fanti
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | | | - Luigi Rigon
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Vittorio Di Trapani
- Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Renata Longo
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Bruno Golosio
- Department of Physics, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Sarno A, Mettivier G, Tucciariello RM, Bliznakova K, Boone JM, Sechopoulos I, Di Lillo F, Russo P. Monte Carlo evaluation of glandular dose in cone-beam X-ray computed tomography dedicated to the breast: Homogeneous and heterogeneous breast models. Phys Med 2018; 51:99-107. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2018.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
|
24
|
Di Lillo F, Mettivier G, Castriconi R, Sarno A, Stevenson AW, Hall CJ, Häusermann D, Russo P. Synchrotron radiation external beam rotational radiotherapy of breast cancer: proof of principle. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2018; 25:857-868. [PMID: 29714197 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577518003788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The principle of rotational summation of the absorbed dose for breast cancer treatment with orthovoltage X-ray beams was proposed by J. Boone in 2012. Here, use of X-ray synchrotron radiation for image guided external beam rotational radiotherapy treatment of breast cancer is proposed. Tumor irradiation occurs with the patient in the prone position hosted on a rotating bed, with her breast hanging from a hole in the bed, which rotates around a vertical axis passing through the tumor site. Horizontal collimation of the X-ray beam provides for whole breast or partial breast irradiation, while vertical translation of the bed and successive rotations allow for irradiation of the full tumor volume, with dose rates which permit also hypofractionated treatments. In this work, which follows a previous preliminary report, results are shown of a full series of measurements on polyethylene and acrylic cylindrical phantoms carried out at the Australian Synchrotron, confirmed by Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations, intended to demonstrate the proof of principle of the technique. Dose measurements were carried out with calibrated ion chambers, radiochromic films and thermoluminescence dosimeters. The photon energy investigated was 60 keV. Image guidance may occur with the transmitted beam for contrast-enhanced breast computed tomography. For a horizontal beam collimation of 1.5 cm and rotation around the central axis of a 14 cm-diameter polyethylene phantom, a periphery-to-center dose ratio of 14% was measured. The simulations showed that under the same conditions the dose ratio decreases with increasing photon energy down to 10% at 175 keV. These values are comparable with those achievable with conventional megavoltage radiotherapy of breast cancer with a medical linear accelerator. Dose painting was demonstrated with two off-center `cancer foci' with 1.3 Gy and 0.6 Gy target doses. The use of a radiosensitizing agent for dose enhancement is foreseen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Di Lillo
- Dipartimento di Fisica `Ettore Pancini', Università di Napoli Federico II and INFN Sezione di Napoli, Via Cinthia, Napoli I-80126, Italy
| | - Giovanni Mettivier
- Dipartimento di Fisica `Ettore Pancini', Università di Napoli Federico II and INFN Sezione di Napoli, Via Cinthia, Napoli I-80126, Italy
| | - Roberta Castriconi
- Dipartimento di Fisica `Ettore Pancini', Università di Napoli Federico II and INFN Sezione di Napoli, Via Cinthia, Napoli I-80126, Italy
| | - Antonio Sarno
- Dipartimento di Fisica `Ettore Pancini', Università di Napoli Federico II and INFN Sezione di Napoli, Via Cinthia, Napoli I-80126, Italy
| | - Andrew W Stevenson
- Australian Synchrotron, 800 Blackburn Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Chris J Hall
- Australian Synchrotron, 800 Blackburn Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Daniel Häusermann
- Australian Synchrotron, 800 Blackburn Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Paolo Russo
- Dipartimento di Fisica `Ettore Pancini', Università di Napoli Federico II and INFN Sezione di Napoli, Via Cinthia, Napoli I-80126, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
A proposal for a quality control protocol in breast CT with synchrotron radiation. Radiol Oncol 2018; 52:329-336. [PMID: 30210044 PMCID: PMC6137353 DOI: 10.2478/raon-2018-0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The SYRMA-3D collaboration is setting up the first clinical trial of phase-contrast breast CT with synchrotron radiation at the Elettra synchrotron facility in Trieste, Italy. In this communication, a quality control protocol for breast CT is proposed, and a first test of image quality measurements is performed by means of a custom-made radiographic phantom. Materials and methods A set of projections is acquired and used to perform a CT reconstruction of two selected portions of the phantom. Such portions contain a uniform layer of water and a set of radiographic inserts, respectively. Together, they allow to perform several image quality measurements, namely CT number linearity, reconstruction accuracy, uniformity, noise, and low contrast resolution. All measurements are repeated at different beam energies in the range of interest, and at two different dose values. Results Measurements show a good linearity in the soft tissue range, paired to a high accuracy of the CT number reconstruction. Uniformity and noise measurements show that reconstruction inhomogeneities are bound to a few percent of the average pixel values. However, low contrast detectability is limited to the higher portion of the explored energy range. Conclusions The results of the measurements are satisfactory in terms of their quality, feasibility and reproducibility. With minimal modifications, the phantom is promising to allow a set of image quality measurements to be used in the upcoming clinical trial.
Collapse
|
26
|
Fedon C, Caballo M, Longo R, Trianni A, Sechopoulos I. Internal breast dosimetry in mammography: Experimental methods and Monte Carlo validation with a monoenergetic x-ray beam. Med Phys 2018; 45:1724-1737. [DOI: 10.1002/mp.12792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Fedon
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine; Radboud University Medical Center; PO Box 9101 6500 HB Nijmegen The Netherlands
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN); sezione di Trieste; 34127 Trieste Italy
| | - Marco Caballo
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine; Radboud University Medical Center; PO Box 9101 6500 HB Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Renata Longo
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN); sezione di Trieste; 34127 Trieste Italy
- Dipartimento di Fisica; Università degli Studi di Trieste; 34127 Trieste Italy
| | - Annalisa Trianni
- Medical Physics Department; Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata (ASUIUD) - Presidio Ospedaliero “S. Maria della Misericordia”; p.le S. Maria della Misericordia, 15 33100 Udine Italy
| | - Ioannis Sechopoulos
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine; Radboud University Medical Center; PO Box 9101 6500 HB Nijmegen The Netherlands
- Dutch Expert Center for Screening (LRCB); PO Box 6873 6503 GJ Nijmegen The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Sarno A, Golosio B, Russo P, Arfelli F, Bellazzini R, Brez A, Brun F, Delogu P, Di Lillo F, Dreossi D, Fedon C, Longo R, Mettivier G, Oliva P, Rigon L, Spandre G, Tromba G. A Framework for Iterative Reconstruction in Phase-Contrast Computed Tomography Dedicated to the Breast. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON RADIATION AND PLASMA MEDICAL SCIENCES 2017. [DOI: 10.1109/trpms.2017.2749059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
|
28
|
Baneva Y, Bliznakova K, Cockmartin L, Marinov S, Buliev I, Mettivier G, Bosmans H, Russo P, Marshall N, Bliznakov Z. Evaluation of a breast software model for 2D and 3D X-ray imaging studies of the breast. Phys Med 2017; 41:78-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2017.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2017] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
|
29
|
Mettivier G, Bliznakova K, Sechopoulos I, Boone JM, Di Lillo F, Sarno A, Castriconi R, Russo P. Evaluation of the BreastSimulator software platform for breast tomography. Phys Med Biol 2017; 62:6446-6466. [PMID: 28398906 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/aa6ca3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this work was the evaluation of the software BreastSimulator, a breast x-ray imaging simulation software, as a tool for the creation of 3D uncompressed breast digital models and for the simulation and the optimization of computed tomography (CT) scanners dedicated to the breast. Eight 3D digital breast phantoms were created with glandular fractions in the range 10%-35%. The models are characterised by different sizes and modelled realistic anatomical features. X-ray CT projections were simulated for a dedicated cone-beam CT scanner and reconstructed with the FDK algorithm. X-ray projection images were simulated for 5 mono-energetic (27, 32, 35, 43 and 51 keV) and 3 poly-energetic x-ray spectra typically employed in current CT scanners dedicated to the breast (49, 60, or 80 kVp). Clinical CT images acquired from two different clinical breast CT scanners were used for comparison purposes. The quantitative evaluation included calculation of the power-law exponent, β, from simulated and real breast tomograms, based on the power spectrum fitted with a function of the spatial frequency, f, of the form S(f) = α/f β . The breast models were validated by comparison against clinical breast CT and published data. We found that the calculated β coefficients were close to that of clinical CT data from a dedicated breast CT scanner and reported data in the literature. In evaluating the software package BreastSimulator to generate breast models suitable for use with breast CT imaging, we found that the breast phantoms produced with the software tool can reproduce the anatomical structure of real breasts, as evaluated by calculating the β exponent from the power spectral analysis of simulated images. As such, this research tool might contribute considerably to the further development, testing and optimisation of breast CT imaging techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Mettivier
- Dipartimento di Fisica 'Ettore Pancini', Università di Napoli Federico II, and INFN Sezione di Napoli, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Sarno A, Dance DR, van Engen RE, Young KC, Russo P, Di Lillo F, Mettivier G, Bliznakova K, Fei B, Sechopoulos I. A Monte Carlo model for mean glandular dose evaluation in spot compression mammography. Med Phys 2017; 44:3848-3860. [PMID: 28500759 PMCID: PMC5534220 DOI: 10.1002/mp.12339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To characterize the dependence of normalized glandular dose (DgN) on various breast model and image acquisition parameters during spot compression mammography and other partial breast irradiation conditions, and evaluate alternative previously proposed dose-related metrics for this breast imaging modality. METHODS Using Monte Carlo simulations with both simple homogeneous breast models and patient-specific breasts, three different dose-related metrics for spot compression mammography were compared: the standard DgN, the normalized glandular dose to only the directly irradiated portion of the breast (DgNv), and the DgN obtained by the product of the DgN for full field irradiation and the ratio of the mid-height area of the irradiated breast to the entire breast area (DgNM ). How these metrics vary with field-of-view size, spot area thickness, x-ray energy, spot area and position, breast shape and size, and system geometry was characterized for the simple breast model and a comparison of the simple model results to those with patient-specific breasts was also performed. RESULTS The DgN in spot compression mammography can vary considerably with breast area. However, the difference in breast thickness between the spot compressed area and the uncompressed area does not introduce a variation in DgN. As long as the spot compressed area is completely within the breast area and only the compressed breast portion is directly irradiated, its position and size does not introduce a variation in DgN for the homogeneous breast model. As expected, DgN is lower than DgNv for all partial breast irradiation areas, especially when considering spot compression areas within the clinically used range. DgNM underestimates DgN by 6.7% for a W/Rh spectrum at 28 kVp and for a 9 × 9 cm2 compression paddle. CONCLUSION As part of the development of a new breast dosimetry model, a task undertaken by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine and the European Federation of Organizations of Medical Physics, these results provide insight on how DgN and two alternative dose metrics behave with various image acquisition and model parameters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Sarno
- Dipartimento di Fisica “Ettore Pancini”Università di Napoli Federico IIVia CintiaI‐80126NapoliItaly
- INFN Sezione di NapoliI‐80126NapoliItaly
| | - David R. Dance
- National Co‐ordinating Centre for the Physics of Mammography (NCCPM)Royal Surrey County HospitalGuildfordGU2 7XXUK
- Department of PhysicsUniversity of SurreyGuildfordGU2 7XHUK
| | - Ruben E. van Engen
- Dutch Reference Centre for Screening (LRCB)P.O. Box 68736503 GJNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Kenneth C. Young
- National Co‐ordinating Centre for the Physics of Mammography (NCCPM)Royal Surrey County HospitalGuildfordGU2 7XXUK
- Department of PhysicsUniversity of SurreyGuildfordGU2 7XHUK
| | - Paolo Russo
- Dipartimento di Fisica “Ettore Pancini”Università di Napoli Federico IIVia CintiaI‐80126NapoliItaly
- INFN Sezione di NapoliI‐80126NapoliItaly
| | - Francesca Di Lillo
- Dipartimento di Fisica “Ettore Pancini”Università di Napoli Federico IIVia CintiaI‐80126NapoliItaly
- INFN Sezione di NapoliI‐80126NapoliItaly
| | - Giovanni Mettivier
- Dipartimento di Fisica “Ettore Pancini”Università di Napoli Federico IIVia CintiaI‐80126NapoliItaly
- INFN Sezione di NapoliI‐80126NapoliItaly
| | - Kristina Bliznakova
- Department of ElectronicsTechnical University of Varna1 Studentska StrVarna9010Bulgaria
| | - Baowei Fei
- Department of Radiology and Imaging SciencesEmory University School of Medicine1701 Upper Gate Drive Northeast, Suite 5018AtlantaGA30322USA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringEmory University and Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaGA30322USA
| | - Ioannis Sechopoulos
- Dutch Reference Centre for Screening (LRCB)P.O. Box 68736503 GJNijmegenThe Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear MedicineRadboud University Medical CentreP.O. Box 91016500 HBNijmegenThe Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Bai H, Chen Y, Guo H, Zhao J, Sun J. Monte Carlo simulation of radiation dose distribution in X-ray imaging at Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2017; 2017:552-555. [PMID: 29059932 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2017.8036884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate the dose distribution in the process of X-ray imaging at Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility. We used the Monte Carlo software EGSnrc based on the statistics of the beamline BL13W to simulate the actual irradiation environment and calculate the dose distribution. Three different sizes of sources and two different tomographic models were created to predict the dose distribution at different regions of interest (ROI) with different fields of view (FOV). The simulation results showed that the dose in ROI is higher. The dose accumulated in the ROI with smaller FOV was more concentrated and relatively smaller compared with the larger FOV. This calculated dose distribution provides guidance for in-vivo animal experiments and other applications such as microbeam therapy.
Collapse
|
32
|
Di Lillo F, Mettivier G, Sarno A, Castriconi R, Russo P. Towards breast cancer rotational radiotherapy with synchrotron radiation. Phys Med 2017; 41:20-25. [PMID: 28666767 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2017.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We performed the first investigations, via measurements and Monte Carlo simulations on phantoms, of the feasibility of a new technique for synchrotron radiation rotational radiotherapy for breast cancer (SR3T). METHODS A Monte Carlo (MC) code based on Geant4 toolkit was developed in order to simulate the irradiation with the SR3T technique and to evaluate the skin sparing effect in terms of centre-to-periphery dose ratio at different energies in the range 60-175keV. Preliminary measurements were performed at the Australian Synchrotron facility. Radial dose profiles in a 14-cm diameter polyethylene phantom were measured with a 100-mm pencil ionization chamber for different beam sizes and compared with the results of MC simulations. Finally, the dose painting feasibility was demonstrated with measurements with EBT3 radiochromic films in a phantom and collimating the SR beam at 1.5cm in the horizontal direction. RESULTS MC simulations showed that the SR3T technique assures a tumour-to-skin absorbed dose ratio from about 7:1 (at 60keV photon energy) to about 10:1 (at 175keV), sufficient for skin sparing during radiotherapy. The comparison between the results of MC simulations and measurements showed an agreement within 5%. Two off-centre foci were irradiated shifting the rotation centre in the horizontal direction. CONCLUSIONS The SR3T technique permits to obtain different dose distributions in the target with multiple rotations and can be guided via synchrotron radiation breast computed tomography imaging, in propagation based phase-contrast conditions. Use of contrast agents like iodinated solutions or gold nanoparticles for dose enhancement (DE-SR3T) is foreseen and will be investigated in future work.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Di Lillo
- Dipartimento di Fisica "Ettore Pancini", Università di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy; INFN, Sezione di Napoli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Giovanni Mettivier
- Dipartimento di Fisica "Ettore Pancini", Università di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy; INFN, Sezione di Napoli, Napoli, Italy.
| | - Antonio Sarno
- Dipartimento di Fisica "Ettore Pancini", Università di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy; INFN, Sezione di Napoli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Roberta Castriconi
- Dipartimento di Fisica "Ettore Pancini", Università di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy; INFN, Sezione di Napoli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Paolo Russo
- Dipartimento di Fisica "Ettore Pancini", Università di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy; INFN, Sezione di Napoli, Napoli, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Sarno A, Mettivier G, Di Lillo F, Russo P. A Monte Carlo study of monoenergetic and polyenergetic normalized glandular dose (DgN) coefficients in mammography. Phys Med Biol 2016; 62:306-325. [PMID: 27991451 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/62/1/306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
34
|
Evaluation of the BreastSimulator Software Platform for Breast Tomography: Preliminary Results. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-41546-8_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
|
35
|
Sarno A, Mettivier G, Golosio B, Oliva P, Spandre G, Di Lillo F, Fedon C, Longo R, Russo P. Imaging performance of phase-contrast breast computed tomography with synchrotron radiation and a CdTe photon-counting detector. Phys Med 2016; 32:681-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2016.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Revised: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
|
36
|
Mettivier G, Fedon C, Di Lillo F, Longo R, Sarno A, Tromba G, Russo P. Erratum of: ‘Glandular dose in breast computed tomography with synchrotron radiation’. Phys Med Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/61/7/2970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
|
37
|
Longo R, Arfelli F, Bellazzini R, Bottigli U, Brez A, Brun F, Brunetti A, Delogu P, Di Lillo F, Dreossi D, Fanti V, Fedon C, Golosio B, Lanconelli N, Mettivier G, Minuti M, Oliva P, Pinchera M, Rigon L, Russo P, Sarno A, Spandre G, Tromba G, Zanconati F. Towards breast tomography with synchrotron radiation at Elettra: first images. Phys Med Biol 2016; 61:1634-49. [PMID: 26836274 DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/61/4/1634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the SYRMA-CT collaboration is to set-up the first clinical trial of phase-contrast breast CT with synchrotron radiation (SR). In order to combine high image quality and low delivered dose a number of innovative elements are merged: a CdTe single photon counting detector, state-of-the-art CT reconstruction and phase retrieval algorithms. To facilitate an accurate exam optimization, a Monte Carlo model was developed for dose calculation using GEANT4. In this study, high isotropic spatial resolution (120 μm)(3) CT scans of objects with dimensions and attenuation similar to a human breast were acquired, delivering mean glandular doses in the range of those delivered in clinical breast CT (5-25 mGy). Due to the spatial coherence of the SR beam and the long distance between sample and detector, the images contain, not only absorption, but also phase information from the samples. The application of a phase-retrieval procedure increases the contrast-to-noise ratio of the tomographic images, while the contrast remains almost constant. After applying the simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique to low-dose phase-retrieved data sets (about 5 mGy) with a reduced number of projections, the spatial resolution was found to be equal to filtered back projection utilizing a four fold higher dose, while the contrast-to-noise ratio was reduced by 30%. These first results indicate the feasibility of clinical breast CT with SR.
Collapse
|