Modulation transfer function of digital breast tomosynthesis: a comparison of various edge devices

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging Physics
• Radiological Technology Assessment

Background:

• The modulation transfer function (MTF) is crucial for evaluating digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) system sharpness.
• Edge devices are standard tools for MTF measurement in DBT imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the MTF of a Senographe Pristina DBT system using various edge devices.
• To assess the influence of different edge device materials and thicknesses on MTF measurements.
• To evaluate the impact of collimator configuration on DBT MTF.

Main Methods:

• Compared MTF using four edge devices (0.6, 0.8, 1.0 mm stainless steel; 1.0 mm tungsten).
• Evaluated spatial frequencies at MTF50% and MTF10%.
• Assessed DBT systems with and without collimators, comparing scan and chest wall-nipple directions.

Main Results:

• Minimal variation in MTF50% (2.90-2.99 cycles/mm) and MTF10% (6.69-6.94 cycles/mm) across different edge devices.
• No significant difference observed between scan and chest wall-nipple directions.
• Collimator-equipped DBT showed approximately 5% higher MTF50% compared to the non-collimator configuration.

Conclusions:

• Edge device selection has a negligible impact on DBT MTF measurements.
• Collimator use offers a slight enhancement in MTF performance for DBT systems.
• Consistent MTF values indicate the reliability of edge devices for DBT sharpness assessment.