• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.158-164
• /
• 2011

Breast cancer is the most frequently appearing cancer in women, these days. To reduce mortality of breast cancer, periodic check-up is strongly recommended. X-ray mammography is one of powerful diagnostic imaging systems to detect 50~100 um micro-calcification which is the early sign of breast cancer. Although x-ray mammography has very high spatial resolution, it is not easy yet to distinguish cancerous tissue from normal tissues in mammograms and new tissue characterizing methods are required. Recently ultrasound elastography technique has been developed, which uses the phenomenon that cancerous tissue is harder than normal tissues. However its spatial resolution is not enough to detect breast cancer. In order to develop a new elastography system with high resolution we are developing x-ray elasticity imaging technique. It uses the small differences of tissue positions with and without external breast compression and requires an algorithm to detect tissue displacement. In this paper, computer simulation is done for preliminary study of x-ray elasticity imaging. First, 3D x-ray breast phantom for modeling woman's breast is created and its elastic model for FEM (finite element method) is generated. After then, FEM experiment is performed under the compression of the breast phantom. Using the obtained displacement data, 3D x-ray phantom is deformed and the final mammogram under the compression is generated. The simulation result shows the feasibility of x-ray elasticity imaging. We think that this preliminary study is helpful for developing and verifying a new algorithm of x-ray elasticity imaging.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.21 no.9
• /
• pp.1045-1054
• /
• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of combining the quantitative parameters of shear wave elastography (SWE) and superb microvascular imaging (SMI) to breast ultrasound (US) to differentiate between benign and malignant breast masses. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 pathologically confirmed breast lesions in 192 patients were retrospectively reviewed using breast US with B-mode imaging, SWE, and SMI. Breast masses were assessed based on the breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) and quantitative parameters using the maximum elasticity (Emax) and ratio (Eratio) in SWE and the vascular index in SMI (SMI_VI). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) value, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of B-mode alone versus the combination of B-mode US with SWE or SMI of both parameters in differentiating between benign and malignant breast masses was compared, respectively. Hypothetical performances of selective downgrading of BI-RADS category 4a (set 1) and both upgrading of category 3 and downgrading of category 4a (set 2) were calculated. Results: Emax with a cutoff value of 86.45 kPa had the highest AUC value compared to Eratio of 3.57 or SMI_VI of 3.35%. In set 1, the combination of B-mode with Emax or SMI_VI had a significantly higher AUC value (0.829 and 0.778, respectively) than B-mode alone (0.719) (p < 0.001 and p = 0.047, respectively). B-mode US with the addition of Emax, Eratio, and SMI_VI had the best diagnostic performance of AUC value (0.849). The accuracy and specificity increased significantly from 68.0% to 84.0% (p < 0.001) and from 46.1% to 79.1% (p < 0.001), respectively, and the sensitivity decreased from 97.6% to 90.6% without statistical loss (p = 0.199). Conclusion: Combining all quantitative values of SWE and SMI with B-mode US improved the diagnostic performance in differentiating between benign and malignant breast lesions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.24
• /
• pp.10739-10743
• /
• 2015

The present study aimed at evaluating and comparing the diagnostic performance of B-mode ultrasound (US), elastography score (ES), and strain ratio (SR) for the differentiation of breast lesions. This retrospective study enrolled 431 lesions from 417 in-hospital patients. All patients were examined with both conventional ultrasound and elastography. Two experienced radiologists reviewed ultrasound and elasticity images. The histopathologic result obtained from ultrasound-guided core biopsy or operation excisions were used as the reference standard. Pathologic examination revealed 276 malignant lesions (64%) and 155 benign lesions (36%). A cut-off point of 4.15 (area under the curve, 0.891) allowed significant differentiation of malignant and benign lesions. ROC (receiver-operating characteristic) curves showed a higher value for combination of B-mode ultrasound and elastography for the diagnosis of breast lesions. Conventional ultrasound combined elastography showed high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for group II lesions (10mm${\leq}20mm$). Elastography combined with conventional ultrasound show high specificity and accuracy for differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions. Elastography is particularly important for the diagnosis of BI-RADS 4 and small breast lesions.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.203-208
• /
• 2013

Background Preoperative volume assessment is useful in breast reconstruction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and mammography are commonly available to reconstructive surgeons in the care of a patient with breast cancer. This study aimed to verify the accuracy of breast volume measured by MRI, and to identify any factor affecting the relationship between measured breast volume and actual breast weight to derive a new model for accurate breast volume estimation. Methods From January 2012 to January 2013, a retrospective review was performed on a total of 101 breasts from 99 patients who had undergone total mastectomy. The mastectomy specimen weight was obtained for each breast. Mammographic and MRI data were used to estimate the volume and density. A standard statistical analysis was performed. Results The mean mastectomy specimen weight was 340.8 g (range, 95 to 795 g). The mean MRI-estimated volume was $322.2mL^3$. When divided into three groups by the "difference percentage value", the underestimated group showed a significantly higher fibroglandular volume, higher percent density, and included significantly more Breast Imaging, Reporting and Data System mammographic density grade 4 breasts than the other groups. We derived a new model considering both fibroglandular tissue volume and fat tissue volume for accurate breast volume estimation. Conclusions MRI-based breast volume assessment showed a significant correlation with actual breast weight; however, in the case of dense breasts, the reconstructive surgeon should note that the mastectomy specimen weight tends to overestimate the volume. We suggested a new model for accurate breast volume assessment considering fibroglandular and fat tissue volume.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.233-241
• /
• 2017

Purpose: To report on the current practices in breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in Korea. Materials and Methods: We invited the 68 members of the Korean Society of Breast Imaging who were working in hospitals with available breast MRI to participate in a survey on how they performed and interpreted breast MRI. We asked one member from each hospital to respond to the survey. A total of 22 surveys from 22 hospitals were analyzed. Results: Out of 22 hospitals, 13 (59.1%) performed at least 300 breast MRI examinations per year, and 5 out of 22 (22.7%) performed > 1200 per year. Out of 31 machines, 14 (45.2%) machines were 1.5-T scanners and 17 (54.8%) were 3.0-T scanners. All hospitals did contrast-enhanced breast MRI. Full-time breast radiologists supervised the performance and interpreted breast MRI in 19 of 22 (86.4%) of hospitals. All hospitals used BI-RADS for MRI interpretation. For computer-aided detection (CAD), 13 (59.1%) hospitals sometimes or always use it and 9 (40.9%) hospitals did not use CAD. Two (9.1%) and twelve (54.5%) hospitals never and rarely interpreted breast MRI without correlating the mammography or ultrasound, respectively. The majority of respondents rarely (13/21, 61.9%) or never (5/21, 23.8%) interpreted breast MRI performed at an outside facility. Of the hospitals performing contrast-enhanced examinations, 15 of 22 (68.2%) did not perform MRI-guided interventional procedures. Conclusion: Breast MRI is extensively performed in Korea. The indication and practical patterns are diverse. The information from this survey would provide the basis for the development of Korean breast MRI practice guidelines.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.43 no.5
• /
• pp.430-437
• /
• 2016

Background Accurate breast volume assessment is a prerequisite to preoperative planning, as well as intraoperative decision making in breast reconstruction surgery. The use of three-dimensional surface imaging (3D scanning) to assess breast volume has many advantages. However, before employing 3D scanning in the field, the tool's validity should be demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to confirm the validity of 3D-scanning technology for evaluating breast volume. Methods We reviewed the charts of 25 patients who underwent breast reconstruction surgery immediately after total mastectomy. Breast volumes using the Axis Three 3D scanner, water-displacement technique, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were obtained bilaterally in the preoperative period. During the operation, the tissue removed during total mastectomy was weighed and the specimen volume was calculated from the weight. Then, we compared the volume obtained from 3D scanning with those obtained using the water-displacement technique, MRI, and the calculated volume of the tissue removed. Results The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of breast volumes obtained from 3D scanning, as compared to the volumes obtained using the water-displacement technique and specimen weight, demonstrated excellent reliability. The ICC of breast volumes obtained using 3D scanning, as compared to those obtained by MRI, demonstrated substantial reliability. Passing-Bablok regression showed agreement between 3D scanning and the water-displacement technique, and showed a linear association of 3D scanning with MRI and specimen volume, respectively. Conclusions When compared with the classical water-displacement technique and MRI-based volumetry, 3D scanning showed significant reliability and a linear association with the other two methods.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.43-48
• /
• 2020

Objective: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a major sequela after surgery or radiotherarpy for breast cancer. Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is designed to reduce lymph swelling by facilitating lymphatic drainage. This study attempted to determine the histologic changes in the skin and subcutaneous layer, and the immediate effect of MLD in decreasing lymphedema using ultrasound imaging, which is the method used most commonly to eliminate BCRL. Design: A single-group experimental study. Methods: Five subjects who were diagnosed with hemiparetic upper extremity lymphedema more than six months after breast cancer surgery participated in the study. MLD was performed for 60 minutes in the order of the thorax, breast, axilla, and upper arm of the affected side. In order to determine the effect of MLD, ultrasound imaging and limb volume were assessed. Two measurement tools were used for asessing lymphedema thickness among the pretest, posttest, and 30-minute follow-up period. Results: Significant diferences in ultrasound imaging and upper limb volume were found between the affected side and non-affected side (p<0.05). On the affected side, although ultrasound imaging showed a significant decrease after MLD (p<0.05), there were no significant difference in upper limb volume when compared to the baseline. Conclusions: In this study, a significant decrease in lymphedema by MLD was demonstrated by ultrasound imaging, which is considered to be more useful in assessing histological changes than limb volume measurements. Further research on the protocol for eliminating lymphedema will be needed.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.378-383
• /
• 2023

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.125-135
• /
• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate dynamic contrast-enhanced breast magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) variables, for axillary lymph node (ALN) metastasis in the early stage of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: January 2011-April 2015, 787 patients with early stage of breast cancer were retrospectively reviewed. Only cases of invasive ductal carcinoma, were included in the patient population. Among them, 240 patients who underwent 3.0-T DCE-MRI, including DWI with b value 0 and $800s/mm^2$ were enrolled. MRI variables (adjacent vessel sign, whole-breast vascularity, initial enhancement pattern, quantitative kinetic parameters, signal enhancement ratio (SER), tumor apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), peritumoral ADC, and peritumor-tumor ADC ratio) clinico-pathologic variables (age, T stage, multifocality, extensive intraductal carcinoma component (EIC), estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, HER-2 status, Ki-67, molecular subtype, histologic grade, and nuclear grade) were compared between patients with axillary lymph node metastasis and those with no lymph node metastasis. Multivariate regression analysis was performed, to determine independent variables associated with ALN metastasis, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), for predicting ALN metastasis was analyzed, for those variables. Results: On breast MRI, moderate or prominent ipsilateral whole-breast vascularity (moderate, odds ratio [OR] 3.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28-9.51 vs. prominent, OR = 15.59, 95% CI 2.52-96.46), SER (OR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.09-2.59), and peritumor-tumor ADC ratio (OR = 6.77, 95% CI 2.41-18.99), were independently associated with ALN metastasis. Among clinico-pathologic variables, HER-2 positivity was independently associated, with ALN metastasis (OR = 23.71, 95% CI 10.50-53.54). The AUC for combining selected MRI variables and clinico-pathologic variables, was higher than that of clinico-pathologic variables (P < 0.05). Conclusion: SER, moderate or prominent increased whole breast vascularity, and peritumor-tumor ADC ratio on breast MRI, are valuable in predicting ALN metastasis, in patients with early stage of breast cancer.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.24 no.7
• /
• pp.640-646
• /
• 2023

Objective: Prospective studies on postoperative residual breast tissue (RBT) after robotic-assisted nipple-sparing mastectomy (R-NSM) for breast cancer are limited. RBT presents an unknown risk of local recurrence or the development of new cancer after curative or risk-reducing mastectomies. This study investigated the technical feasibility of using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate RBT after R-NSM in women with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: In this prospective pilot study, 105 patients, who underwent R-NSM for breast cancer at Changhua Christian Hospital between March 2017 and May 2022, were subjected to postoperative breast MRI to evaluate the presence and location of RBT. The postoperative MRI scans of 43 patients (age, 47.8 ± 8.5 years), with existing preoperative MRI scans, were evaluated for the presence and location of RBT. In total, 54 R-NSM procedures were performed. In parallel, we reviewed the literature on RBT after nipple-sparing mastectomy, considering its prevalence. Results: RBT was detected in 7 (13.0%) of the 54 mastectomies (6 of the 48 therapeutic mastectomies and 1 of the 6 prophylactic mastectomies). The most common location for RBT was behind the nipple-areolar complex (5 of 7 [71.4%]). Another RBT was found in the upper inner quadrant (2 of 7 [28.6%]). Among the six patients who underwent RBT after therapeutic mastectomies, one patient developed a local recurrence of the skin flap. The other five patients with RBT after therapeutic mastectomies remained disease-free. Conclusion: R-NSM, a surgical innovation, does not seem to increase the prevalence of RBT, and breast MRI showed feasibility as a noninvasive imaging tool for evaluating the presence and location of RBT.