TOMOSYNTHESIS FOR IMPROVED PULMONARY NODULE DETECTION

描述(改编自申请者摘要)：研究目的 是开发和评估一种改进临床检测的方法 肺结节，使用一种被称为数字断层合成的技术。数位 通过提供三维信息来增强传统的胸部检查 通过一系列的纵向切片图像。这些切片图像是 从在不同地点获取的一组离散投影图像重建 角度，使用传统的x射线管和新的数字平板x射线 探测器。层析合成的图像可以逐层查看或作为3-D查看 在“虚拟透视”观看环境中的体绘制投影。这个 断层合成的诊断好处是使用3-D信息来改善 消除混淆对肺结节的检测与鉴别 覆盖在上面的结构。CT仍将是临床检查的黄金标准 一旦检测到结节，通过断层合成提供了低剂量/低成本 一种提高初始检测精度的方法。临床上的断层合成 每当安排数字PA/侧胸检查时将采集图像， 但是在以常规曝光水平的一半获取横向图像的情况下。 使用新的平板探测器，结果将是带有 改善的图像质量，具有传统图像质量的横向，以及 三维断层合成数据集，全部在整体曝光时获取 可与标准屏幕胶片PA/侧位胸部检查相媲美。三种不同的 层析合成算法将在本提案中进行研究：传统 移位相加层析合成，一种调谐孔径计算机层析成像(TACT) 具有改进的图像配准和矩阵求逆的算法 改进的消除残差模糊的层析合成(MITS)算法 来自不在感兴趣平面内的结构。该项目的具体目标 包括：构建数字断层合成胸部系统；改进 MITS算法；三维观察环境的开发； 图像采集几何结构的优化；断层合成的评价 伪影.病人剂量的最佳化.MITS、TACT和 “传统的”断层合成；以及对这一假设的临床测试 断层合成技术提高了对肺结节的检测能力 用传统的X光照相。

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from Applicant's Abstract): The purpose of these studies is to develop and evaluate a method for improving clinical detection of pulmonary nodules, using a technique known as digital tomosynthesis. Digital augments a conventional chest exam by providing three-dimensional information through a series of longitudinal slice images. These slice images are reconstructed from a set of discrete projection images acquired at different angles, using a conventional x-ray tube and a new digital flat-panel x-ray detector. The tomosynthesized images may be viewed slice-by-slice or as a 3-D volume-rendered projection in a "virtual fluoroscopy" viewing environment. The diagnostic benefit of tomosynthesis is the use of 3-D information to improve detection and discrimination of pulmonary nodules by eliminating the confusion of overlying structures. CT would remain the gold-standard for clinical workup once nodules are detected, with tomosynthesis providing a low-dose/low-cost method for improving initial detection accuracy. Clinically the tomosynthesis images would be acquired whenever a digital PA/lateral chest exam is scheduled, but with the lateral image acquired at half the conventional exposure level. The results, using the new flat-panel detector, would be a PA film with improved image quality, a lateral with conventional image quality, and a three-dimensional tomosynthesis data set, all acquired at an overall exposure comparable to a standard screen-film PA/lateral chest exam. Three different tomosynthesis algorithms will be investigated in this proposal: traditional shift-and-add tomosynthesis, a Tuned Aperture Computed Tomography (TACT) algorithm with improved registration of images, and a Matrix Inversion Tomosynthesis (MITS) algorithm for improved elimination of residual blurring from structures not in the plane of interest. The specific aims of the project include: construction of a digital tomosynthesis chest system; improvement of the MITS algorithm; development of a three-dimensional viewing environment; optimization of image acquisition geometry; evaluation of tomosynthesis artifacts; optimization of patient dose; comparison of MITS, TACT, and "conventional" tomosynthesis; and a clinical test of the hypothesis that tomosynthesis improves the detection of pulmonary nodules over what is possible with conventional radiography.