Improved visualization of breast cancer features in multifocal carcinoma using phase-contrast and dark-field mammography: an ex vivo study
Grandl S, Scherer K, Sztrokay-Gaul A, Birnbacher L, Willer K, Chabior M, Herzen J, Mayr D, Auweter SD, Pfeiffer F, Bamberg F, Hellerhoff K (2015)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2015
Journal
Book Volume: 25
Pages Range: 3659-3668
Journal Issue: 12
DOI: 10.1007/s00330-015-3773-5
Abstract
Objectives: Conventional X-ray attenuation-based contrast is inherently low for the soft-tissue components of the female breast. To overcome this limitation, we investigate the diagnostic merits arising from dark-field mammography by means of certain tumour structures enclosed within freshly dissected mastectomy samples. Methods: We performed grating-based absorption, absolute phase and dark-field mammography of three freshly dissected mastectomy samples containing bi- and multifocal carcinoma using a compact, laboratory Talbot-Lau interferometer. Preoperative in vivo imaging (digital mammography, ultrasound, MRI), postoperative histopathological analysis and ex vivo digital mammograms of all samples were acquired for the diagnostic verification of our results. Results: In the diagnosis of multifocal tumour growth, dark-field mammography seems superior to standard breast imaging modalities, providing a better resolution of small, calcified tumour nodules, demarcation of tumour boundaries with desmoplastic stromal response and spiculated soft-tissue strands extending from an invasive ductal breast cancer. Conclusions: On the basis of selected cases, we demonstrate that dark-field mammography is capable of outperforming conventional mammographic imaging of tumour features in both calcified and non-calcified tumours. Presuming dose optimization, our results encourage further studies on larger patient cohorts to identify those patients that will benefit the most from this promising additional imaging modality. Key Points: • X-ray dark-field mammography provides significantly improved visualization of tumour features • X-ray dark-field mammography is capable of outperforming conventional mammographic imaging • X-ray dark-field mammography provides imaging sensitivity towards highly dispersed calcium grains
Involved external institutions
Klinikum der Universität München (Großhadern und Innenstadt)
Germany (DE)
Technische Universität München (TUM)
Germany (DE)
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU)
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Tübingen
Germany (DE)
Germany (DE)
Technische Universität München (TUM)
Germany (DE)
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU)
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Tübingen
Germany (DE)
How to cite
APA:
Grandl, S., Scherer, K., Sztrokay-Gaul, A., Birnbacher, L., Willer, K., Chabior, M.,... Hellerhoff, K. (2015). Improved visualization of breast cancer features in multifocal carcinoma using phase-contrast and dark-field mammography: an ex vivo study. European Radiology, 25(12), 3659-3668. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-015-3773-5
MLA:
Grandl, Susanne, et al. "Improved visualization of breast cancer features in multifocal carcinoma using phase-contrast and dark-field mammography: an ex vivo study." European Radiology 25.12 (2015): 3659-3668.
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