Esbrand, C.; (2010) Feature analysis methods for intelligent breast imaging parameter optimisation using CMOS active pixel sensors. Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

This thesis explores the concept of real time imaging parameter optimisation in digital mammography using statistical information extracted from the breast during a scan. Transmission and Energy dispersive x-ray diffraction (EDXRD) imaging were the two very different imaging modalities investigated. An attempt to determine if either could be used in a real time imaging system enabling differentiation between healthy and suspicious tissue regions was made. This would consequently enable local regions (potentially cancerous regions) within the breast to be imaged using optimised imaging parameters. The performance of possible statistical feature functions that could be used as information extraction tools were investigated using low exposure breast tissue images. The images were divided into eight regions of interest, seven regions corresponding to suspicious tissue regions marked by a radiologist, where the final region was obtained from a location in the breast consisting solely of healthy tissue. Results obtained from this investigation showed that a minimum of 82% of the suspicious tissue regions were highlighted in all images, whilst the total exposure incident on the sample was reduced in all instances. Three out of the seven (42%) intelligent images resulted in an increased contrast to noise ratio (CNR) compared to the conventionally produced transmission images. Three intelligent images were of similar diagnostic quality to their conventional counter parts whilst one was considerably lower. EDXRD measurements were made on breast tissue samples containing potentially cancerous tissue regions. As the technique is known to be able to distinguish between breast tissue types, diffraction signals were used to produce images corresponding to three suspicious tissue regions consequently enabling pixel intensities within the images to be analysed. A minimum of approximately 70% of the suspicious tissue regions were highlighted in each image, with at least 50% of each image remaining unsuspicious, hence was imaged with a reduced incident exposure.

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