Title :
Contrast-enhanced color flow images for cancer diagnosis using neovascularity as an indicator
Author :
Kuruvilla, B. ; Forsberg, F. ; Chaudhari, M. ; Palazzo, J. ; Goldberg, B.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Radiol., Thomas Jefferson Univ., Philadelphia, PA, USA
Abstract :
Noninvasive contrast-enhanced color flow images (CFI) may be used to increase the accuracy of breast tumor diagnoses, using tumor neovascularity as an indicator. For neovascular quantification, color pixel densities (CPD) were calculated in CFI images taken pre- and postinjection of contrast agent in 17 patients with breast tumors. CPD values were used in regression analysis with microvessel density (MVID) and microvessel area (MVA) of the corresponding histopathological slides. The highest correlation was found for the microvessels 30-39 microns in diameter. While significant correlations existed between post-contrast CFI values and MVA (p < 0.05) and MVD (p < 0.005), no correlation existed with pre-contrast. In conclusion, by quantifying neovascularity, a marker of angiogenesis within breast masses, contrast-enhanced ultrasound maybe used as an adjunct tool in tumor diagnosis
Keywords :
biomedical ultrasonics; blood flow measurement; blood vessels; cancer; haemorheology; image enhancement; mammography; medical image processing; statistical analysis; tumours; 30 to 39 micron; breast masses; breast tumor diagnosis accuracy increase; cancer diagnosis; contrast-enhanced color flow images; contrast-enhanced ultrasound; histopathological slides; medical diagnostic imaging; microvessel area; microvessel density; neovascular quantification; regression analysis; tumor diagnosis; Breast biopsy; Breast neoplasms; Breast tumors; Cancer; Lesions; Pathology; Pixel; Radiology; Regression analysis; Ultrasonic imaging;
Conference_Titel :
Bioengineering Conference, 2002. Proceedings of the IEEE 28th Annual Northeast
Conference_Location :
Philadelphia, PA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-7419-3
DOI :
10.1109/NEBC.2002.999567
