Total variation regularization in digital breast tomosynthesis

Abstract

We developed an iterative algebraic algorithm for the reconstruction of 3D volumes from limited-angle breast projection images. Algebraic reconstruction is accelerated using the graphics processing unit. We varied a total variation (TV)-norm parameter in order to verify the influence of TV regularization on the representation of small structures in the reconstructions. The Barzilai-Borwein algorithm is used to solve the inverse reconstruction problem. The quality of our reconstructions was evaluated with the Quart Mam/Digi Phantom, which features so-called Landolt ring structures to verify perceptibility limits. The evaluation of the reconstructions was done with an automatic LR detection algorithm. The LR feature of the Quart Mam/Digi Phantom is well suited for the evaluation of DBT algorithms with respect to the visibility of small structures. TV regularization is not the technique of choice to improve the representation of small structures in DBT. The BB solver provides good results after just 4 iterations.