title: Feasibility study of contrast-enhanced automated acoustic mammography.
abstract: The feasibility of implementing image subtraction in through-transmission breast sonography was examined. Acoustic mammograms of women with suspicious findings were obtained using through-transmission imaging. Precontrast images were initially acquired. Then a perflutren liquid microsphere contrast agent solution was injected intravenously, and new sets of images were acquired. Precontrast-postcontrast subtraction images depicting the resulting changes were then obtained and visually compared with other imaging modalities. The ability to detect changes stemming from contrast agent injection in the through-transmission mode was verified. The comparability with x-ray mammography and magnetic resonance imaging was shown. Finally, the ability to compare images obtained before and several months after surgery was confirmed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 32000 Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gaitini
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rothstein
authors.forename: Zahava
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gallimidi
authors.forename: Haim
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Azhari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005466:Fluorocarbons; C042852:perflutren