Cone-beam breast computed tomography using ultra-fast image reconstruction with constrained,total-variation minimization for suppression of artifacts

Compressed sensing based iterative reconstruction algorithms for computed tomography such as adaptive steepest descent-projection on convex sets (ASD-POCS) are attractive due to their applicability in incomplete datasets such as sparse-view data and can reduce radiation dose to the patients while preserving image quality. Although IR algorithms reduce image noise compared to analytical Feldkamp-Davis-Kress (FDK) algorithm, they may generate artifacts, particularly along the periphery of the object. One popular solution is to use finer image-grid followed by down-sampling. This approach is computationally intensive but may be compensated by reducing the field of view. Our proposed solution is to replace the algebraic reconstruction technique within the original ASD-POCS by ordered subsets-simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (OS-SART) and with initialization using FDK image. We refer to this method as Fast, Iterative, TV-Regularized, Statistical reconstruction Technique (FIRST). In this study, we investigate FIRST for cone-beam dedicated breast CT with large image matrix. The signal-difference to noise ratio (SDNR), the difference of the mean value and the variance of adipose and fibroglandular tissues for both FDK and FIRST reconstructions were determined. With FDK serving as the reference, the root-mean-square error (RMSE), bias, and the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of microcalcifications in two orthogonal directions were also computed. Our results suggest that FIRST is competitive to the finer image-grid method with shorter reconstruction time. Images reconstructed using the FIRST do not exhibit artifacts and outperformed FDK in terms of image noise. This suggests the potential of this approach for radiation dose reduction in cone-beam breast CT.     

Imaging performance of phase-contrast breast computed tomography with synchrotron radiation and a CdTe photon-counting detector

PurposeWithin the SYRMA-CT collaboration based at the ELETTRA synchrotron radiation (SR) facility the authors investigated the imaging performance of the phase-contrast computed tomography (CT) system dedicated to monochromatic in vivo 3D imaging of the female breast, for breast cancer diagnosis.MethodsTest objects were imaged at 38 keV using monochromatic SR and a high-resolution CdTe photon-counting detector. Signal and noise performance were evaluated using modulation transfer function (MTF) and noise power spectrum. The analysis was performed on the images obtained with the application of a phase retrieval algorithm as well as on those obtained without phase retrieval. The contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and the capability of detecting test microcalcification clusters and soft masses were investigated.ResultsFor a voxel size of (60 μm)³, images without phase retrieval showed higher spatial resolution (6.7 mm⁻¹ at 10% MTF) than corresponding images with phase retrieval (2.5 mm⁻¹). Phase retrieval produced a reduction of the noise level and an increase of the CNR by more than one order of magnitude, compared to raw phase-contrast images. Microcalcifications with a diameter down to 130 μm could be detected in both types of images.ConclusionsThe investigation on test objects indicates that breast CT with a monochromatic SR source is technically feasible in terms of spatial resolution, image noise and contrast, for in vivo 3D imaging with a dose comparable to that of two-view mammography. Images obtained with the phase retrieval algorithm showed the best performance in the trade-off between spatial resolution and image noise.     

乳腺癌X线征象的研究

目的:探讨乳腺癌X线征象,以提高乳腺癌诊断水平。方法:对70例乳腺癌X线征象作回顾性分析,并与病理结果对照。结果:直接征象:肿块58例,其中圆形肿块16例,分叶状肿块14例,毛刺状肿块28例。钙化32例。间接征象:皮肤增厚,乳头内陷16例,血管增粗增多12例,乳腺实质结构紊乱8例,腋窝淋巴结增大8例。结论:乳腺X线片中不同形态的直接征象及间接征象对乳腺癌的诊断具有重要指导价值。     

EGS_cbct: Simulation of a fan beam CT and RMI phantom for measured HU verification

IntroductionA mathematical 3D model of an existing computed tomography (CT) scanner was created and used in the EGSnrc-based BEAMnrc and egs_cbct Monte Carlo codes. Simulated transmission dose profiles of a RMI-465 phantom were analysed to verify Hounsfield numbers against measured data obtained from the CT scanner.Methods and materialsThe modelled CT unit is based on the design of a Toshiba Aquilion 16 LB CT scanner. As a first step, BEAMnrc simulated the X-ray tube, filters, and secondary collimation to obtain phase space data of the X-ray beam. A bowtie filter was included to create a more uniform beam intensity and to remove the beam hardening effects. In a second step the Interactive Data Language (IDL) code was used to build an EGSPHANT file that contained the RMI phantom which was used in egs_cbct simulations. After simulation a series of profiles were sampled from the detector model and the Feldkamp-Davis-Kress (FDK) algorithm was used to reconstruct transversal images. The results were tested against measured data obtained from CT scans.ResultsThe egs_cbct code can be used for the simulation of a fan beam CT unit. The calculated bowtie filter ensured a uniform flux on the detectors. Good correlation between measured and simulated CT numbers was obtained.ConclusionsIn principle, Monte Carlo codes such as egs_cbct can model a fan beam CT unit. After reconstruction, the images contained Hounsfield values comparable to measured data.     

即时扩展型背阔肌肌皮瓣乳房再造在保留乳头乳晕复合体乳癌术后的运用分析

目的：探讨分析即时扩展型背阔肌肌皮瓣乳房再造在保留乳头乳晕复合体乳癌术后的运用。方法：回顾性分析我院2008年2月-2012年4月收治的乳腺癌术后患者106例,采用乳癌术即时扩展型背阔肌肌皮瓣乳房再造保留乳头乳晕复合体,观察手术效果以及满意度。结果：术后患者乳房美容优良率为88．68％明显大于对照组的47．17％,并且术后6个月治疗组生活质量评价总分明显大于对照组总分术后6个月患者生活质量评价总分明显大于术前评价总分,差异具有条件下意义（P〈0．05）,差异均具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论：即时扩展型背阔肌肌皮瓣乳房再造在保留乳头乳晕复合体乳癌术后患者乳房美容效果较好,提高患者生活质量高,值得在临床上推广,但在手术后需积极处理可能存在的并发症情况。     

保乳手术联合放射治疗84例乳腺癌患者临床疗效观察

目的:观察保乳手术联合放射治疗乳腺癌患者临床疗效。方法:选取我院收治的乳腺癌患者84例,均采取保乳手术联合放射治疗,观察临床疗效。结果:所有患者手术均获得成功,84例乳腺癌患者均在出院后进行随访,平均随访时间(2.1±0.4)年,各项检查未发现复发迹象。在放疗的期间内,乳房出现刺痛、发痒的不适患者20例,皮肤色素沉着、红斑的患者37例,在治疗后发生湿性脱皮患者10例,放射性食管炎患者8例;在放疗结束1个月,出现反射性肺炎患者2例。手术及放疗后,患者乳房的美容效果中优秀患者49例,良好患者29例,较差患者6例;行肿瘤扩大切除术患者优秀率高于行象限切除术患者,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:保乳手术联合放疗可保证治疗效果,同时降低并发症的发生,有利于美观,是一种优秀的乳腺癌治疗方法。     

乳腺癌实验动物模型的制备与应用

乳腺癌实验动物模型在研究人类乳腺癌的生物学行为及治疗等方面起着非常重要的作用。根据制备方法及研究目的的不同,乳腺癌实验动物模型可分为自发性、诱发性、移植性、转基因性及乳腺癌骨转移等动物模型,每种动物模型都有各自的特点和应用条件。     

Identification of breast cancer metastasis-associated proteins in an isogenic tumor metastasis model using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography-ion trap-mass spectrometry

To better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying breast cancer metastasis and search for potential markers for metastatic progression, we have developed a highly metastatic variant of human MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cell line through in vivo stepwise selection of pulmonary metastatic cells caused by parental MDA-MB-435 cells in the athymic mice. Comparative proteomic analysis using 2-DE and LC-IT-MS revealed that 102 protein spots were reproducibly altered more than three-fold between the selected variant and its parental counterpart. Eleven differentially expressed protein spots were identified with high confidence using SEQUEST with uninterpreted tandem mass raw data. Cathepsin D precursor, peroxiredoxin 6 (PDX6), heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), HSP60, tropomyosin 1 (TPM1), TPM2, TPM3, TPM4, 14-3-3 protein epsilon, and tumor protein D54 were up-regulated in the highly metastatic variant, whereas alpha B-crystalline (CRAB) was only detected in its parental counterpart. Differential expression was confirmed for four proteins including PDX6, CRAB, TPM4, and HSP60 by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting analysis in our model. Immunohistochemical analysis in 80 breast cancer donors demonstrated a significant association of TPM4 (p = 0.002), HSP60 (p = 0.001), PDX6 (p = 0.002) but not CRAB (p = 0.113) staining with the presence of lymph node metastasis. In addition, TPM4 staining was also associated with clinical stage (p = 0.000), but no significant association was found between TPM4, PDX6, CRAB, and HSP60 expression and tumor size, hormone receptor, and HER-2 status (p > 0.05). The functional implication of these identified proteins was also discussed. These proteomic data are valuable and informative for understanding breast cancer metastasis and searching for potential markers for metastatic progression.     

Osteopontin-targeted probe detects orthotopic breast cancers using optoacoustic imaging

Improved detection of breast cancer using highly sensitive, tumor-specific imaging would facilitate diagnosis, surveillance and assessment of response to treatment. We conjugated osteopontin peptide to an infrared fluorescent dye to serve as a contrast agent for detection of breast cancer by multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT). Selective binding of the osteopontin-based probe was identified using flow cytometry and near infrared fluorescent imaging in triple negative and HER2 positive breast cancer cell lines in vitro. Osteopontin-750 accumulation was evaluated in vivo using MSOT with secondary confirmation of signal accumulation using near infrared fluorescent imaging. The osteopontin-based probe demonstrated binding to breast cancer cells in vitro. Similarly, after intravenous administration of the osteopontin-750 probe, it accumulated preferentially in the subcutaneous breast tumor in nude mice (557 MSOT a.u. compared to untargeted organs such as kidney (53.7 MSOT a.u.) and liver (32.1 MSOT a.u.). At 2.5 h post-injection, signal intensity within the tumor was 9.7 and 17 times greater in the tumor bed than in the kidney or liver, respectively. Fluorescence imaging ex vivo comparing tumor signal to that of nontarget organs confirmed the results in vivo. MSOT imaging demonstrated selective accumulation of the fluorescent osteopontin targeting probe to tumor sites both in vitro and in vivo, and provided high-resolution images. Further development of this tool is promising for advanced diagnostic imaging, disease surveillance and therapeutic models that limit nontarget toxicity.     

乳腺癌保乳术后局部复发的相关因素

随着保乳手术的开展及保乳病人的增多,相应出现了一些保乳术后局部复发的病例,而切缘阴性或阳性、术后全乳照射与否、年龄、病理类型、病例的选择、新辅助化疗后保乳术切除范围、SLNB(前哨淋巴结活检)等都与保乳术后局部复发有关。因此确保严格选择适应症病例、手术切缘阴性、术后全乳照射、病理类型为非EIC(广泛导管内癌成分)、新辅助化疗后手术范围的准确以及提高SLNB的准确率都可降低保乳手术的局部复发。本文在此就乳腺癌保乳术后局部复发的相关因素进行探讨。     

Nucleobindin-2 在乳腺癌中表达的临床病理意义

目的:探讨NUCB2在乳腺癌中的表达及临床病理意义。方法:收集乳腺癌病例及相应的临床资料包括随访资料应用免疫组织化学技术检测良性病变,有/无淋巴结转移的乳腺癌及配对淋巴结转移灶中NUCB2的表达,分析NUCB2表达与乳腺癌临床病理指标和生存状态间的关系。结果:免疫组化结果:显示NUCB2在BBD、MBC、NMBC、PMLN的阳性表达率分别为90.0%(45/50),82.1%(87/106)、48.2%(40/83)、47.2%(50/106)。其中,NUCB2在BBD的阳性表达率显著高于NMBC、PMLN,而与MBC无显著性差异;在MBC中的阳性表达率显著高于NMBC;在MBC中的阳性表达率显著高于PMLN。临床病理分析结果:显示乳腺癌原发灶中NUCB2表达与淋巴结转移(p=0.000)、临床分期(p=0.001)、雌激素阳性表达(p=0.020)具有显著性相关。而与年龄、肿块大小、组织学分级、组织学类型、孕激素受体、HER2表达、绝经情况无显著相关。Kaplan-Meier分析结果:显示NUCB2阳性表达病例的总生存率比阴性病例更短(P=0.004)。结论:NUCB2在乳腺癌中表达与淋巴结转移、临床分期、雌激素受体表达和生存状态相关,可能在乳腺癌恶性演进和预后中具有重要意义。     

The evaluation of the feasibility of carotid sparing intensity modulated radiation therapy technique for comprehensive breast irradiation

PurposeTo investigate the feasibility of carotid sparing intensity modulated radiation therapy (CS-IMRT) to minimize the radiation dose to carotid arteries for comprehensive irradiation of breast cancer patients who have risk factors for atherosclerosis. The dose distribution of CS-IMRT technique and the conventional irradiation technique were also compared.Patients and methodsTen patients who were previously treated with comprehensive three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) were selected. DICOM data were used to contour the carotid artery and to create the virtual CS-IMRT plans for each patient. 3DCRT and CS-IMRT plans were compared in terms of conformity index, homogeneity index, and the doses to organ at risk and carotid arteries.ResultsThe homogeneity and conformity indices were better with CS-IMRT plans compared to 3DCRT plan. The homogeneity index was 1.13 vs 1.11 (p = 0.007) for 3DCRT and CS-IMRT and the conformity index was 0.96 vs 0.97 (p = 0.006) for 3DCRT and CS-IMRT. The radiation dose to the carotid arteries were reduced by applying CS-IMRT without compromising the target volume coverage. When the carotid artery was considered as organ at risk for CS-IMRT planning, the median of V50 was decreased to 0% from 12.5% compared to 3DCRT plans (p = 0.017). The median of the maximum dose to the carotid artery was decreased under 50 Gy with CS-IMRT.ConclusionsCS-IMRT can significantly reduce the unnecessary radiation dose to the carotid arteries compared with conventional 3DCRT technique while maintaining target volume coverage. CS-IMRT technique can be considered for breast cancer patient with high risk of atherosclerosis.     

乳腺癌免疫组化检测在乳腺癌患者诊治中的意义分析

目的：探讨免疫组化检测在乳腺癌患者诊治中的价值。方法：随机选取2011年1月-2013年1月的68例经过空心穿刺活捡并病理确诊的乳腺癌患者为研究对象,均采用免疫组化检测ER、PR、P53、Bcl-2,全部采用CEF化疗方案治疗3个月后手术治疗,再运用免疫组化SP法检测化疗前后乳腺癌组织中以上指标的阳性表达率情况。结果：ER、PR化疗前后比较无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;而P53、Bcl-2比较有明显的差异性（P〈0．05）;ER、PR的阴性和阳性和疗效情况无明显差异性,而P53、Bcl-2的阴性和阳性表达和化疗的效果有明显的差异性,P〈0．05,具有统计学意义。结论：免疫组化检测中ER、PR对乳腺癌化疗前后无明显差异性,而化疗可通过抑制P53的表达来抑制乳腺癌增值并通过升高Bcl-2表达来调整肿瘤细胞分化。     

乳腺良性肿块与乳腺癌患者的超声弹性成像对比

目的:对比乳腺良性肿块与乳腺癌患者的超声弹性成像,明确超声弹性成像的应用价值。方法:选取2014年5月-2016年1月我院乳腺肿块患者128人次共146例肿块,根据病理结果分为乳腺良性肿块和乳腺癌,比较超声弹性成像与病理结果。结果:128个患者共计肿块146例,99例结节为良性肿块,其中32例为乳腺纤维腺瘤,29例为乳腺增生结节,20例为乳腺脂肪瘤,6例为乳腺血管脂肪瘤,4例为乳腺导管腺瘤,8例为乳腺导管内乳头状瘤;47例肿块为恶性,其中37例肿块为浸润性导管癌,9例肿块为粘液腺癌,1例肿块为硬癌。乳腺良性肿块患者81人次共99例,其中1分43例(43.43%),2分34例(34.34%),3分18例(18.18%),4分4例(4.04%);乳腺癌患者47例,其中3分9例(19.15%),4分20例(42.55%),5分18例(38.30%)。超声弹性成像鉴别乳腺良性肿块与乳腺癌的灵敏度为95.96%,特异性为80.85%,准确度为91.10%,阴性预测值为90.48%,阳性预测值为91.35%。结论:超声弹性成像鉴别乳腺良性肿块与乳腺癌的灵敏度高达95.96%,具有较高准确度,可辅助诊断乳腺疾病。     

可手术乳腺癌基线检查研究现状

乳腺癌的治疗手段随临床分期不同而有很大差异,临床分期主要通过基线检查获得。常规的乳腺癌的相关基线检查主要有基本检查项目和备选检查项目。其中包括病史及体检、实验室检查、乳腺的影像学检查、病理检查及免疫组化、腹部及盆腔影像学检查、胸部影像学检查、骨扫描、脑核磁、PET/CT检查。这些检查是临床分期的基本依据,其中基本检查项目是所有乳腺癌患者必须采用的常规检查,而不同临床分期的乳腺癌所需要的备选检查项目却存在差别。手术治疗是乳腺癌治疗的主要手段,本文对可手术乳腺癌的基线检查及各项检查的临床应用情况做一综述。     

乳腺癌钼靶X线检查的漏诊及误诊分析

目的:分析乳腺癌X线检查的误诊及漏诊情况。方法:选择2013年5月至2015年5月在我院的经乳腺X线和病理检查证实的乳腺肿瘤患者135例为研究对象,比较X线检查结果与病理诊断结果的误诊率及漏诊率,并分析导致误诊及漏诊的因素。结果:135例患者中,术后病理证实为恶性肿瘤63例(46.67%),良性肿瘤72例(53.33%)。63例乳腺恶性肿瘤中,X线误诊为良性5例,误诊率为7.93%。其中1例误诊为乳腺增生,2例误诊为乳腺炎症,1例误诊为术后疤痕挛缩,1例误诊为纤维腺瘤;X线表现为肿块形态呈圆形或类圆形边缘光滑2例,肿块周围出现透亮区1例,乳腺结构扭曲1例。72例良性肿瘤中,X线误诊为恶性7例,误诊率为9.72%。其中4例为乳腺增生,2例为乳腺炎,1例为乳腺纤维瘤,1例为乳腺筋膜炎;X线表现为密度较高而边缘不清的肿块影1例,边缘似有毛刺征1例,伴有钙化、模糊无定型呈散在分布1例,部分边缘有突起或后缘凹凸不平1例,片状影2例(1例密度较高,1例密度较均匀);肿块伴乳晕增厚、乳头内陷1例。结论:乳腺X线检查的准确性受直接征象和间接征象的影响。因此,临床实践中可联合运用乳腺X线检查和乳腺超声或MRI检查,从而提高乳腺肿块诊断的准确率。     

三维电子显微镜方法进展

从生物样品（细胞或大分子）的电镜图象重组其三维结构的方法近年取得了重大进展,这是冷冻电镜样品制备、电镜设备、图象处理和分析方法等几方面进步的综合结果。三维电镜方法的进步和完善,使细胞和学家得以了解在复杂的细胞过程中各种相关细胞器之间的空间关系,而使分子生物学家不仅可以研究那些能够形成二维结晶的样品,并为分析具有重要生物功能但不能形成二维结晶的大分子或分子聚休物的结构提供了一种强大的手段。     

Breast cancer susceptibility loci in association with age at menarche,age at natural menopause and the reproductive lifespan

Background: Genome-wide association studies have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with breast cancer risk. Some of these loci have unknown functional significance and may mediate the effects of hormonal exposures on breast cancer risk. We examined relationships between breast cancer susceptibility variants and menstrual/reproductive factors using data from two population-based studies. Methods: The first analysis was based on a sample of 1328 women age 20–74 who participated as controls in a case–control study of breast cancer conducted in three U.S. states. We evaluated the associations between age at menarche, age at natural menopause and the reproductive lifespan with 13 previously identified breast cancer variants. Associations were also examined with a genetic score created as the sum of at-risk alleles across the 13 variants. For validation, significant results were evaluated in a second dataset comprised 1353 women age 43–86 recruited as part of a cohort study in Wisconsin. Results: Neither the genetic score nor any of the 13 variants considered individually were associated with age at menarche or reproductive lifespan. Two SNPs were associated with age at natural menopause; every increase in the minor allele (A) of rs17468277 (CASP8) was associated with a 1.12 year decrease in menopause age (p = 0.02). The minor allele (G) of rs10941679 (5p12) was associated with a 1.01 year increase in age at natural menopause (p = 0.01). The results were not replicated in the validation cohort (B = −0.61, p = 0.14 and B = −0.01, p = .0.98, respectively). Conclusions: The evaluated variants and reproductive experiences may work through separate pathways to influence breast cancer risk.