Optimization of contrast-enhanced digital breast tomosynthesis

Abstract

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is a tomographic technique in which individual slices through the breast are reconstructed from x-ray projection images acquired over a limited angular range. In contrast-enhanced DBT (CE-DBT) functional information is observed by administration of an radiographic contrast agent. The uptake of iodine in the breast is very small and causes changes in x-ray transmission that are smaller than 5%. This presents significant technical challenges if quantitative assessment of contrast agent concentration in tissue is desired. We modeled CE-DBT acquisition by simulating x-ray spectra from 40 to 49 kV. Comparison of attenuation data of our simulated and measured spectra were found to agree well. We investigated the effect of patient motion and scatter on iodine uptake. These parameters were evaluated by means of experiments and theoretical modeling. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006.