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In vivo breast tissue backscatter measurements with 7.5- and 10-MHz transducers
M E Anderson1, M S Soo, G E Trahey
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627-0126, USA. martin.anderson@rochester.edu
Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology
|April 11, 2001
Summary
Ultrasound backscatter coefficient (BSC) measurements reveal significant differences between fibroglandular and fatty breast tissues. These findings advance quantitative ultrasound (QUS) for breast tissue characterization.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Biomedical Ultrasound
- Acoustical Physics
Background:
- Accurate characterization of breast tissue composition is crucial for diagnostic imaging.
- Ultrasound backscatter coefficient (BSC) provides quantitative information about tissue microstructure.
- In vivo measurements of breast tissue BSC are essential for developing advanced ultrasound techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure the ultrasound backscatter coefficient (BSC) and its frequency dependence in human breast tissues in vivo.
- To differentiate between fibroglandular and fatty breast tissues using quantitative ultrasound parameters.
- To provide reference data for the development and validation of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) methods for breast imaging.
Main Methods:
- Radiofrequency (RF) echo data were acquired from the breasts of 16 adult women (ages 46-84) using a clinical ultrasound system.
- The reference phantom method was employed to ratiometrically estimate the backscatter coefficient (BSC) and its frequency dependence.
- Attenuation compensation was applied to the data, with matched regions of interest (ROIs) selected in fibroglandular and fatty tissues.
Main Results:
- Mean BSC values in fibroglandular tissue were significantly higher than in subcutaneous fat across the 5.25-13 MHz frequency range.
- Fibroglandular tissue exhibited BSC values of (78.9 ± [SD]) x 10(-3)/cm·sr at 7.2 MHz and (146 ± [SD]) x 10(-3)/cm·sr at 10.3 MHz.
- Subcutaneous fat showed lower BSC values of (2.59 ± [SD]) x 10(-3)/cm·sr at 7.2 MHz and (7.08 ± [SD]) x 10(-3)/cm·sr at 10.3 MHz, with distinct frequency dependencies.
Conclusions:
- Significant differences in ultrasound backscatter coefficient (BSC) and frequency dependence exist between fibroglandular and fatty breast tissues in vivo.
- These quantitative ultrasound findings support the potential for improved tissue characterization and differentiation in breast imaging.
- The presented data serve as valuable reference measurements for advancing quantitative ultrasound applications in breast cancer detection and diagnosis.