Investigation into variation and errors of a three-dimensional breast imaging system using multiple stereo cameras

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Imaging
• Anthropometry

Background:

• Measurement errors in breast volume assessment stem from repeat measurement variability.
• Objective breast assessment requires evaluating the accuracy and precision of measurement systems.
• Understanding error sources is crucial for validating new breast assessment technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the variation and errors of a three-dimensional (3D) multiple stereo camera system for objective breast assessment.
• To investigate the correlation between measurement errors and breast size.
• To compare the system's performance against established methods like water displacement.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an eight-camera multiple stereophotogrammetry system for 3D imaging.
• Measured volumes of nine plaster breast models and six live volunteers' breasts.
• Assessed variability across different measurement stages and correlated it with model/breast size.

Main Results:

• A significant positive correlation was found between plaster model size and measurement variability (p=0.033).
• A non-significant trend indicated larger live breasts also showed more variability (p=0.342).
• Average variations were 32.95 cc (poses), 19.43 cc (captures), and 28.32 cc (software calculations), representing small proportions of mean volume (4.0%-6.9%).

Conclusions:

• The 3D imaging system demonstrates good reproducibility for breast volume measurement.
• Measurement variation increases with size, a significant finding in models but a trend in live subjects.
• This validation process is essential for adopting new breast measurement technologies.