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European Radiology
Published in: European Radiology 5/2020

01-05-2020 | Computed Tomography | Breast

Comparison of propagation-based CT using synchrotron radiation and conventional cone-beam CT for breast imaging

Authors: Seyedamir Tavakoli Taba, Patrycja Baran, Yakov I. Nesterets, Serena Pacile, Susanne Wienbeck, Christian Dullin, Konstantin Pavlov, Anton Maksimenko, Darren Lockie, Sheridan C. Mayo, Harry M. Quiney, Diego Dreossi, Fulvia Arfelli, Giuliana Tromba, Sarah Lewis, Timur E. Gureyev, Patrick C. Brennan

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 5/2020

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Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate and compare the image quality of propagation-based phase-contrast computed tomography (PB-CT) using synchrotron radiation and conventional cone-beam breast computed tomography (CBBCT) based on various radiological image quality criteria.

Methods

Eight excised breast tissue samples of various sizes and containing different lesion types were scanned using PB-CT at a synchrotron facility and using CBBCT at a university-affiliated breast imaging centre. PB-CT scans were performed at two different mean glandular dose (MGD) levels: standard (5.8 mGy) and low (1.5 mGy), for comparison with CBBCT scans at the standard MGD (5.8 mGy). Image quality assessment was carried out using six quality criteria and six independent medical imaging experts in a reading room with mammography workstations. The interobserver agreement between readers was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and image quality was compared between the two breast imaging modalities using the area under the visual grading characteristic curve (AUCVGC).

Results

Interobserver agreement between the readers showed moderate reliability for five image criteria (ICC: ranging from 0.488 to 0.633) and low reliability for one criterion (image noise) (ICC 0.307). For five image quality criteria (overall quality, perceptible contrast, lesion sharpness, normal tissue interfaces, and calcification visibility), both standard-dose PB-CT images (AUCVGC 0.958 to 1, p ≤ .05) and low dose PB-CT images (AUCVGC 0.785 to 0.834, p ≤ .05) were of significantly higher image quality than standard-dose CBBCT images.

Conclusions

Synchrotron-based PB-CT can achieve a significantly higher radiological image quality at a substantially lower radiation dose compared with conventional CBBCT.

Key Points

• PB-CT using synchrotron radiation results in higher image quality than conventional CBBCT for breast imaging.
• PB-CT using synchrotron radiation requires a lower radiation dose than conventional CBBCT for breast imaging.
• PB-CT can help clinicians diagnose patients with breast cancer.
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Metadata
Title
Comparison of propagation-based CT using synchrotron radiation and conventional cone-beam CT for breast imaging
Authors
Seyedamir Tavakoli Taba
Patrycja Baran
Yakov I. Nesterets
Serena Pacile
Susanne Wienbeck
Christian Dullin
Konstantin Pavlov
Anton Maksimenko
Darren Lockie
Sheridan C. Mayo
Harry M. Quiney
Diego Dreossi
Fulvia Arfelli
Giuliana Tromba
Sarah Lewis
Timur E. Gureyev
Patrick C. Brennan
Publication date
01-05-2020
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 5/2020
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-019-06567-0

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