Use of Three-Dimensional Surface Imaging to Measure Breast Volume in the Upright Position With Acceptable Accuracy

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Surgical Outcomes
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• The clinical utility of three-dimensional surface imaging (3DSI) for assessing breast volume in an upright posture remains unverified.
• Accurate breast volume measurement is crucial for various clinical applications, including cosmetic surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the accuracy and clinical applicability of 3DSI for measuring breast volume in the upright position.
• To compare 3DSI measurements with established imaging modalities.

Main Methods:

• 3DSI accuracy was initially assessed using calibrated plastic models.
• Breast volumes of 30 patients were measured using 3DSI (upright), computed tomography (CT, supine), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, prone), and mammography (MMG, compressed).
• Correlation coefficients were calculated to compare 3DSI, MRI, and MMG measurements against CT as a reference standard.

Main Results:

• 3DSI demonstrated confirmed accuracy with plastic models.
• Correlation coefficients were: 3DSI vs. CT (0.83), MRI vs. CT (0.997), and MMG vs. CT (0.84).
• 3DSI showed a strong association with CT measurements, comparable to MMG, though less correlated than MRI.

Conclusions:

• Three-dimensional surface imaging provides clinically acceptable accuracy for measuring breast volume in the upright position.
• 3DSI is a viable tool for evaluating cosmetic surgical outcomes related to breast volume.