Three-dimensional time-resolved optical mammography of the uncompressed breast

Appl Opt. 2007 Jun 10;46(17):3628-38. doi: 10.1364/ao.46.003628.

Abstract

Optical tomography is being developed as a means of detecting and specifying disease in the adult female breast. We present a series of clinical three-dimensional optical images obtained with a 32-channel time-resolved system and a liquid-coupled interface. Patients place their breasts in a hemispherical cup to which sources and detectors are coupled, and the remaining space is filled with a highly scattering fluid. A cohort of 38 patients has been scanned, with a variety of benign and malignant lesions. Images show that hypervascularization associated with tumors provides very high contrast due to increased absorption by hemoglobin. Only half of the fibroadenomas scanned could be observed, but of those that could be detected, all but one revealed an apparent increase in blood volume and a decrease in scatter and oxygen saturation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Breast / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Fibroadenoma / diagnosis
  • Fibroadenoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hemoglobins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Mammography / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, Optical / methods*

Substances

  • Hemoglobins