Impact on dose and image quality of a software-based scatter correction in mammography

Abstract

Background

In 2014, Siemens developed a new software-based scatter correction (Progressive Reconstruction Intelligently Minimizing Exposure [PRIME]), enabling grid-less digital mammography.

Purpose

To compare doses and image quality between PRIME (grid-less) and standard (with anti-scatter grid) modes.

Material and Methods

Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was measured for various polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) thicknesses and dose values provided by the mammograph were recorded. CDMAM phantom images were acquired for various PMMA thicknesses and inverse Image Quality Figure (IQF_inv) was calculated. Values of incident entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) and average glandular dose (AGD) were obtained from the DICOM header for a total of 1088 pairs of clinical cases. Two experienced radiologists compared subjectively the image quality of a total of 149 pairs of clinical cases.

Results

CNR values were higher and doses were lower in PRIME mode for all thicknesses. IQF_inv values in PRIME mode were lower for all thicknesses except for 40 mm of PMMA equivalent, in which IQF_inv was slightly greater in PRIME mode. A mean reduction of 10% in ESAK and 12% in AGD in PRIME mode with respect to standard mode was obtained. The clinical image quality in PRIME and standard acquisitions resulted to be similar in most of the cases (84% for the first radiologist and 67% for the second one).

Conclusion

The use of PRIME software reduces, in average, the dose of radiation to the breast without affecting image quality. This reduction is greater for thinner and denser breasts.

Keywords

Software-based scatter correction digital imaging mammography dose image quality

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Nykänen

Siltanen

. X-ray scattering in full-field digital mammography. Med Phys 2003; 30: 1864–1873.

Veldkamp

WJH

Thijssen

MAO

Karssemeijer

. The value of scatter removal by a grid in full field digital mammography. Med Phys 2003; 30: 1712–1718.

Danilovic D, Hamann A. PRIME: Software-based scatter correction enabling gridless digital mammography. Erlangen: Siemens Healthcare, 2017.

Rührnschopf

Klingenbeck

. A general framework and review of scatter correction methods in X-ray cone-beam computerized tomography. Part 1: scatter compensation approaches. Med Phys 2011; 38: 4296–4311.

Bemelmans F, Van Peteghem N, Adversalo XB, et al. Grid-less imaging with anti-scatter correction software in 2D mammography: a JAFROC study using simulated lesions. In: Tingberg A, Lang K, Timberg P, eds. Breast Imaging. IWDM 2016. Lecture notes in computer science, vol 9699. Cham: Springer, 2016.

Fieselman A, Fischer D, Hilal G, et al. Full-field digital mammography with grid-less acquisition and software-based scatter correction: investigation of dose saving and image quality. Proc. SPIE 8668, Medical Imaging 2013: Physics of Medical Imaging, 86685Y (6 March 2013).

Dance

Skinner

Young

et al.

Additional factors for the estimation of mean glandular breast dose using the UK mammography dosimetry protocol. Phys Med Biol 2000; 45: 3225–3240.

Dance

. Monte Carlo calculation of conversion factors for the estimation of mean glandular breast dose. Phys Med Biol 1990; 35: 1211–1219.

Protocolo Español de Control de Calidad en Radiodiagnóstico (Rev. 2011). Sociedad Española de Física Médica, Sociedad Española de Protección Radiológica, Sociedad Española de Radiología Médica. Madrid: Senda Editorial, 2011.

10.

Thijssen MAO, Thijssen HOM, Merx JL, et al. A definition of image quality: the image quality figure. In: Moores BM, Wall BF, Eriskat H, et al, eds. Optimization of image quality and patient exposure in diagnostic radiology. Proceedings of a Workshop organized jointly by the Commission of the European Communities and the National Radiological Protection Board; 1988; Oxford. Luxembourg: BIR, 1989:29–34.

11.

Sickles EA, D’Orsi CJ, Bassett LW, et al. ACR BI-RADS® Mammography. In: ACR BI-RADS® Atlas, Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. Reston, VA: American College of Radiology, 2013.

12.

Bertram M, Wiegert J, Rose G. Potential of software-based scatter corrections in cone-beam volume CT. Proc. SPIE 5745, Medical Imaging 2005: Physics of Medical Imaging.

13.

Mentrup

Jockel

Menser

et al.

Iterative scatter correction for grid-less bedside chest radiography: performance for a chest phantom. Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2016; 169: 308–312.

14.

Van Peteghem N, Bemelmans F, Adversalo XB, et al. Grid-less imaging with anti-scatter correction software 2D mammography: the effects on image quality and MGD under a partial virtual clinical validation study. Proc. SPIE 9783, Medical Imaging 2016: Physics of Medical Imaging.

15.

Binst

Sterckx

Bemelmans

et al.

Evaluation of automated CDMAM readings for non-standard CDMAM imaging conditions: grid-less acquisitions and scatter correction. Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2015; 165: 350–353.