Dual-energy mammography simulation: Optimisation studies

This paper presents a mammography simulator and demonstrates its applicability in studies of Dual-Energy (DE) subtraction mammography. The simulator is an evolution of a previously presented X-Ray imaging simulation system, which has been extended with new functionalities that are specific for DE simulations. The new features include incident exposure and dose calculations, the implementation of a DE subtraction algorithm, as well as amendments to the detector and source modelling. The simulator was used to carry out a feasibility study of the applicability of DE techniques in mammography, and more precisely to examine whether this modality could result in better visualisation and detection of microcalcifications (mu C). Investigations were carried out using 3D breast software phantom of average thickness, 3D breast phantom and monoenergetic incident beams. Dual-shot techniques were simulated. The optimisation studies have shown that 21/52keV incident beams are optimal for use with the simulated detectors in order to obtain maximal microcalcification detectability in the investigated breast. The results of the simulations demonstrated as well, that the use of the DE technique can improve visualisation and increase detectability, allowing identification of mu Cs of sizes as small as 200 mu m.