Non-invasive classification of microcalcifications with phase-contrast X-ray mammography.
Microcalcifications can be indicative in the diagnosis of early breast cancer. Here we report a non-invasive diagnostic method that may potentially distinguish between different types of microcalcifications using X-ray phase-contrast imaging. Our approach exploits the complementary nature of the absorption and small-angle scattering signals of microcalcifications, obtained simultaneously with an X-ray grating interferometer on a conventional X-ray tube. We demonstrate that the new approach has 100% sensitivity and specificity when applied to phantom data, and we provide evidence of the solidity of the technique by showing its discrimination power when applied to fixed biopsies, to non-fixed tissue specimens and to fresh, whole-breast samples. The proposed method might be further developed to improve early breast cancer diagnosis and has the potential to increase the diagnostic accuracy and reduce the number of uncomfortable breast biopsies, or, in case of widespread microcalcifications, to select the biopsy site before intervention.
Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland.
Zhentian
Z
Wang
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Interdisciplinary Breast Center Baden, Kantonsspital Baden, 5404 Baden, Switzerland.
Nik
N
Hauser
Institute of Pathology, Kantonsspital Baden, 5404 Baden, Switzerland.
Gad
G
Singer
Institute of Pathology, Kantonsspital Baden, 5404 Baden, Switzerland.
Mafalda
M
Trippel
Department of Radiology, Kantonsspital Baden, 5404 Baden, Switzerland.
Rahel A
RA
Kubik-Huch
Department of General Energy Research, Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland.
Christof W
CW
Schneider
1] Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland [2] Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
Marco
M
Stampanoni
D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity