Work

Modular breast and tumor perfusion phantoms for 4D dynamic contrast‐enhanced dedicated breast CT

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background Tumor heterogeneity presents significant challenges in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Four‐dimensional dynamic contrast‐enhanced dedicated breast CT (4D DCE‐bCT) is a novel imaging technique designed to capture contrast agent kinetics with high spatial and temporal resolution, enabling detailed assessment of tumor perfusion and heterogeneity. Purpose To develop modular breast tumor phantoms capable of simulating a range of physiologically relevant perfusion patterns and structural heterogeneities for validation of 4D DCE‐bCT. Methods Tumor phantoms (1.5 cm diameter) were 3D‐printed using clear resin in several designs: small‐channel phantoms (0.8 and 1.0 mm diameter), a leaking vessel model with permeable outer walls, gyroid structures (1.3 and 1.5 mm pores) mimicking microvascularization, and a dual‐input/output model to replicate heterogeneous perfusion. The phantoms were integrated into a programmable flow system, enabling iodinated contrast (up to 5 mg I/mL) delivery with custom profiles: full wash‐in/wash‐out, persistent, plateau, and partial wash‐out. 4D DCE‐bCT acquisitions with a 65 kV + 0.25 mm Cu filter involved 1 pre‐contrast scan (360 pulses over a 10‐second revolution at 80 mA) followed by three post‐contrast phases (400 pulses over 10 revolutions at 32 mA). Images were reconstructed using 40 projections at 5‐second intervals using prior image constrained compressed sensing (PICCS). Time–intensity curves (TICs) were analyzed in volumes of interest in various sections of the tumor phantoms. A gamma variate function was fitted to each TIC, and the corresponding fit parameters and coefficients of determination ( R 2 ) were extracted. Results Dynamic imaging demonstrated successful capture of expected contrast kinetics. Larger channels (1.0 mm) produced 2.5 times greater enhancement compared to smaller ones (0.8 mm). The R 2 values for the 0.8 mm and leaking channel were lower, 0.54 and 0.67 versus 0.85 in the 1 mm channel, due to a higher noise level in the signal. The leaking vessel phantom exhibited delayed wash‐out by ∼30 s. Distinct flow patterns were evident in the dual‐input/output model. The gamma variate parameters showed the expected trends due to the programmed flow patterns. Conclusion The developed 3D‐printed tumor phantoms effectively simulate key perfusion features and point towards the feasibility of using 4D DCE‐bCT to image detailed perfusion patterns.

Source: Medical Physics

DOI: 10.1002/mp.70004

Authors: Liselot C. Goris, Sanne Gouma, Juan J. Pautasso, Koen Michielsen, Ioannis Sechopoulos

Institutions: Radboud University Medical Center, University of Twente, Dutch Expert Centre for Screening

Language: English

Topic: Digital Radiography and Breast Imaging

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,360