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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Tracking the Mammary Architectural Features and Detecting Breast Cancer with Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Published on: December 15, 2014
High-resolution spiral CT of the breast at very low dose: concept and feasibility considerations
Willi A Kalender1, Marcel Beister, John M Boone
1Institute of Medical Physics, University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestr. 91, 91052 Erlangen, Germany. willi.kalender@imp.uni-erlangen.de
Objective:
Mammography, today's standard imaging approach, has deficits with respect to the superimposition of anatomical structures. Dedicated CT of the breast so far indicated that it can provide superior soft-tissue imaging, but that it still has significant limitations with respect to spatial resolution and dose. We have assessed novel dedicated breast CT technology.
Methods:
Based on simulations and measurements we developed novel technology which uses direct-conversion CdTe material and photon-counting electronics with 100 μm detector element size for close to 100% dose efficiency. We assessed the potential for the imaging of microcalcifications of 100 to 200 μm diameter and soft-tissue lesions of 1 to 5 mm diameter by simulations at dose levels between 1 and 6 mGy.
Results:
Microcalcifications of 150 μm and soft-tissue lesions of 2 mm diameter were found to be clearly detectable at an average glandular dose of 3 mGy. Separate displays are required for high-resolution microcalcification and for low-resolution soft-tissue analysis. Total CT data acquisition time will be below 10 s.
Conclusion:
Dedicated breast CT may eventually provide comprehensive diagnostic assessment of microcalcifications and soft-tissue structures at dose levels equivalent to or below those of two-view screening mammography.
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