title: Signs analysis and clinical assessment: phase-contrast computed tomography of human breast tumours.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyse the diagnostic signs present in slices of human breast tumour specimens using synchrotron radiation phase-contrast imaging computed tomography (PCI-CT) for the first time and assess the feasibility of this technique for clinical applications.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ethics committee of our university and relevant clinical hospital approved this prospective study, and written informed consent was obtained from all patients. PCI-CT of human breast tumour specimens with synchrotron radiation was performed at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF). A total of 14 specimens of early-stage carcinomas and 8 specimens of adenomas were enrolled. Based on raw data reconstruction, the diagnostic signs present in the slices were analysed and correlated with histopathology. We proposed a criterion for clinical diagnosis according to the evaluated signs and the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) for reference. The criterion was then assessed by clinicians in a double-blind method. Finally, descriptive statistics were evaluated, depending on the assessment results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 14 carcinoma specimens and 8 adenoma specimens were diagnosed as malignant and benign tumours, respectively. The total coincidence rate was 100%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study results demonstrate that the X-ray diagnostic signs observed in the specimen slices and the criterion used for clinical diagnosis were accurate and reliable. The criterion based on signs analysis can be used to differentiate early-stage benign or malignant tumours. As a promising imaging method, PCI-CT can serve as a possible and feasible supplement to BI-RADS in the future.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Engineering, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Wushuai
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jian
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Engineering, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Mingshu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Engineering, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Hongli
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Engineering, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Liting
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Engineering, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Engineering, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Shuqian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017356:Synchrotrons; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
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