Quantitative contrast-enhanced mammography for contrast medium kinetics studies.

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Radiology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Quantitative contrast-enhanced mammography (QCM) aims to extract quantitative and temporal data on tumor enhancement post-iodinated contrast media administration.
• Dual-energy imaging approaches are crucial for developing advanced QCM techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present simulations and parameter optimization for QCM.
• To experimentally evaluate a QCM procedure using a phantom and an amorphous silicon imager.
• To assess the accuracy of iodine concentration measurements and the potential for extracting spatial and temporal information.

Main Methods:

• Simulations using analytical expressions and critical parameter optimization.
• Experimental evaluation with a tissue-equivalent phantom and an amorphous silicon active matrix flat panel imager.
• Dual-energy X-ray imaging with spectral shaping, scatter correction, and low-dose image acquisition for temporal analysis.

Main Results:

• Accurate iodine projected thickness measurements were achieved after scatter correction.
• High signal-to-noise ratios (>5) were obtained for low iodine concentrations (<3 mg cm⁻²) at reduced radiation exposure (10% of clinical mammography).
• Spatial and temporal information of contrast media uptake and washout can be extracted.

Conclusions:

• The proposed dual-energy QCM method enables accurate measurement of iodine concentration, crucial for assessing tumor microvessel density.
• This technique has the potential to significantly improve tumor detection in dense breasts.
• Future applications include in situ X-ray biopsy and assessment of anticancer agent efficacy.