3-D visualization and non-linear tissue classification of breast tumors using ultrasound elastography in vivo.
The goal of the study described here was to introduce new methods for the classification and visualization of human breast tumors using 3-D ultrasound elastography. A tumor's type, shape and size are key features that can help the physician to decide the sort and extent of necessary treatment. In this work, tumor type, being either benign or malignant, was classified non-invasively for nine volunteer patients. The classification was based on estimating four parameters that reflect the tumor's non-linear biomechanical behavior, under multi-compression levels. Tumor prognosis using non-linear elastography was confirmed with biopsy as a gold standard. Three tissue classification parameters were found to be statistically significant with a p-value < 0.05, whereas the fourth non-linear parameter was highly significant, having a p-value < 0.001. Furthermore, each breast tumor's shape and size were estimated in vivo using 3-D elastography, and were enhanced using interactive segmentation. Segmentation with level sets was used to isolate the stiff tumor from the surrounding soft tissue. Segmentation also provided a reliable means to estimate tumors volumes. Four volumetric strains were investigated: the traditional normal axial strain, the first principal strain, von Mises strain and maximum shear strain. It was noted that these strains can provide varying degrees of boundary enhancement to the stiff tumor in the constructed elastograms. The enhanced boundary improved the performance of the segmentation process. In summary, the proposed methods can be employed as a 3-D non-invasive tool for characterization of breast tumors, and may provide early prognosis with minimal pain, as well as diminish the risk of late-stage breast cancer.
Biomedical Engineering Department, Misr University for Science &Technology, 6th of October City, Egypt.
Ahmed
A
Sayed
Department of Radiology, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.
Ginger
G
Layne
Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Jame
J
Abraham
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Electronic address: Sam.mukdadi@mail.wvu.edu.
Osama M
OM
Mukdadi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D001940:Breast / Q000503:physiopathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000145:classification* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary / Q000379:methods*
3-D ultrasound elastography; Breast masses; Interactive segmentation; Level sets