ETACT - An Innovative Approach to Scintimammography
Abstract
This project investigates the use of a novel approach to scintimammography (SMM) known as emission tuned aperture computed tomography (ETACT). In ETACT, a series of projections of the radionuclide distribution in the breast are acquired with fiducial markers. These data are reconstructed into tomographic slices. The hypothesis of this project is that ETACT will significantly increase the diagnosis accuracy of SMM, and can be applied in a simple, flexible and practical manner. We have developed a simulation model for the acquisition process of ETACT and have used this tool to perform a preliminary evaluation of the aperture size appropriate for ETACT. It was determined that a 4 mm diameter aperture was optimal for ETACT, as currently implemented. We performed a preliminary phantom evaluation to compare its performance to planar SMM. This evaluation indicated that contrast (0.2 vs 0.52) and the SNR (0.54 vs 2.05) were substantially higher for ETACT as compared to planar SMM. We will continue to work on our ETACT simulator to include attenuation and scatter. We will simulate ETACT data to evaluate aperture size and projection divergence as a function of tumor size, location and: T/NT ratio. We will develop a methodology for acquiring ETACT data using optical markers. We will acquire phantom data to evaluate fiducial placement, tumor size and location, the effect of cardiac or liver activity and compare the results to SMM. In the third year, we will continue to evaluate ETACT and develop an ETACT clinical prototype.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA383020
Entities
People
- Frederic H. Fahey
Organizations
- Wake Forest University