Research
Breast CT
Dedicated breast computed tomography (breast CT) is an advanced, fully tomographic imaging technology under development for breast cancer imaging. Optimized for the specific contrast, spatial resolution, and tissue coverage needs of breast imaging, it offers the benefits of CT, familiar in body imaging, to breast diagnostics, delivering true 3D images at low doses. Breast CT shows promise for various applications in breast imaging, including diagnosis, staging, therapy response monitoring, and potentially screening. For its successful clinical integration, enhancing its image quality and assessing its clinical performance are crucial. Investigating and refining various aspects of image acquisition, reconstruction, and processing are key to improving final image quality. Moreover, developing dedicated image analysis algorithms could provide deeper insights into breast CT's performance across different clinical applications and potentially heighten accuracy in breast cancer diagnosis through high-resolution, 3D imaging of cancer-related biomarkers. Ultimately, evolving 3D breast CT into a 4D functional imaging modality could significantly enhance the efficacy of breast cancer treatment.
Figure 1: Dedicated breast CT System installed in Radboudumc.
Breast CT shows potential for a range of applications in breast imaging, including diagnosis, staging, therapy response monitoring, and possibly screening. To facilitate the integration of breast CT into clinical practice, understanding its clinical performance potential is crucial. Within our research group, we collaborate with trial coordinators and physicians from Radboudumc to explore the most effective clinical applications of breast CT. Specifically, patient trials are underway to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of breast CT in the diagnostic work-up following breast cancer screening detections.
Figure 2: Dedicated breast CT can provide real 3D images of the breast with high spatial and contrast resolution, avoiding tissue overlay and giving a full characterization of breast tissues.
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