Digital tomosynthesis aided by low-resolution exact computed tomography

J Comput Assist Tomogr. 2007 Nov-Dec;31(6):976-83. doi: 10.1097/rct.0b013e31803e8c1f.

Abstract

Tomosynthesis reconstructs 3-dimensional images of an object from a significantly fewer number of projections as compared with that required by computed tomography (CT). A major problem with tomosynthesis is image artifacts associated with the data incompleteness. In this article, we propose a hybrid tomosynthesis approach to achieve higher image quality as compared with competing methods. In this approach, a low-resolution CT scan is followed by a high-resolution tomosynthesis scan. Then, both scans are combined to reconstruct images. To evaluate the image quality of the proposed method, we design a new breast phantom for numerical simulation and physical experiments. The results show that images obtained by our approach are clearly better than those obtained without such a CT scan.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Breast / anatomy & histology
  • Computer Simulation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Mammography / methods
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Radiographic Image Enhancement / methods*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*