Interactions of lesion detectability and size across single-slice DBT and 3D DBT

Miguel A. Lago; Craig K. Abbey; Bruno Barufaldi; Predrag R. Bakic; Susan P. Weinstein; Andrew D. Maidment; Miguel P. Eckstein

doi:10.1117/12.2293873

7 March 2018 Interactions of lesion detectability and size across single-slice DBT and 3D DBT

Miguel A. Lago, Craig K. Abbey, Bruno Barufaldi, Predrag R. Bakic, Susan P. Weinstein, Andrew D. Maidment, Miguel P. Eckstein

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 10577, Medical Imaging 2018: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment; 105770X (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2293873
Event: SPIE Medical Imaging, 2018, Houston, Texas, United States

Abstract

Three dimensional image modalities introduce a new paradigm for visual search requiring visual exploration of a larger search space than 2D imaging modalities. The large number of slices in the 3D volumes and the limited reading times make it difficult for radiologists to explore thoroughly by fixating with their high resolution fovea on all regions of each slice. Thus, for 3D images, observers must rely much more on their visual periphery (points away from fixation) to process image information. We previously found a dissociation in signal detectability between 2D and 3D search tasks for small signals in synthetic textures evaluated with non-radiologist trained observers. Here, we extend our evaluation to more clinically realistic backgrounds and radiologist observers. We studied the detectability of simulated microcalcifications (MCALC) and masses (MASS) in Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) utilizing virtual breast phantoms. We compared the lesion detectability of 8 radiologists during free search in 3D DBT and a 2D single-slice DBT (center slice of the 3D DBT). Our results show that the detectability of the microcalcification degrades significantly in 3D DBT with respect to the 2D single-slice DBT. On the other hand, the detectability for masses does not show this behavior and its detectability is not significantly different. The large deterioration of the 3D detectability of microcalcifications relative to masses may be related to the peripheral processing given the high number of cases in which the microcalcification was missed and the high number of search errors. Together, the results extend previous findings with synthetic textures and highlight how search in 3D images is distinct from 2D search as a consequence of the interaction between search strategies and the visibility of signals in the visual periphery.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Miguel A. Lago, Craig K. Abbey, Bruno Barufaldi, Predrag R. Bakic, Susan P. Weinstein, Andrew D. Maidment, and Miguel P. Eckstein "Interactions of lesion detectability and size across single-slice DBT and 3D DBT", Proc. SPIE 10577, Medical Imaging 2018: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment, 105770X (7 March 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2293873

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available