title: Breast tissue classification using x-ray scattering measurements and multivariate data analysis.
abstract: This study utilized two radiation scatter interactions in order to differentiate malignant from non-malignant breast tissue. These two interactions were Compton scatter, used to measure the electron density of the tissues, and coherent scatter to obtain a measure of structure. Measurements of these parameters were made using a laboratory experimental set-up comprising an x-ray tube and HPGe detector. The breast tissue samples investigated comprise five different tissue classifications: adipose, malignancy, fibroadenoma, normal fibrous tissue and tissue that had undergone fibrocystic change. The coherent scatter spectra were analysed using a peak fitting routine, and a technique involving multivariate analysis was used to combine the peak fitted scatter profile spectra and the electron density values into a tissue classification model. The number of variables used in the model was refined by finding the sensitivity and specificity of each model and concentrating on differentiating between two tissues at a time. The best model that was formulated had a sensitivity of 54% and a specificity of 100%.
authors.affiliation: School of Allied Health Sciences, City University, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6PA, UK.
authors.forename: Elaine A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Farquharson
mesh_terms: D001940:Breast / Q000737:chemistry*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D014965:X-Rays