Javad Rahimian PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Natasha Shah MS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Guita Rahbar MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Albert Cerussi PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Denise Andrews MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Marie M. McCombs MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Navjeet Hansra MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Bruce Tromberg PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ramesh Chandar Verma MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

This project evaluates near-infrared diffuse optical spectroscopy (DOS) properties of normal breasts with varying optical density and of malignant and benign breast masses.

Twenty-four healthy subjects (age 35-77) with normal mammograms underwent DOS measurements with the Laser Breast Scanner (LBS). The LBS measures the tissue concentrations of deoxy-hemoglobin (ctHHb), oxy-hemoglobin (ctO2Hb), water (ctH2O), and lipids, as well as tissue scattering. Breast density was categorized subjectively by mammographers as per ACR-BIRADS criteria. Nine (3x3 grid) LBS measurements over a 2x2 cm area in the upper outer and the lower inner quadrants of the right breast. The mean of the 18 LBS measurements was used to calculate the above optical parameters. The Tissue Optical Index (TOI) = ([Water][ctHHb])/[Lipid] was also calculated and plotted as a function of breast density. In addition, the LBS measurements, spaced 1 cm apart, were obtained along two orthogonal axes over breast masses in 11 patients (fibroadenomas 5, mastitis 1, invasive ductal carcinomas 3, malignant phylloides tumor 1, and intraductal papilloma 1). The ratio of TOI of mass to the contra-lateral normal breast was computed and compared for histologically proven malignant and benign breast masses.

Six subjects in category 4 (very dense breasts) demonstrated 200% greater total Hb, 73% greater ctH2O, 24% less lipid, and a 3.5-fold greater TOI (p-value <0.0001) than the remaining 18 patients in category 1-3. The median of the ratio of lesion/normal TOI for 5 malignant breast masses was 9.0 (range 6.0–211.0) and for 7 benign breast masses was 2.12 (range 1.4-6.5) (p-value 0.19).

a) Very dense breasts (category 4) have distinctly different optical characteristics compared to less dense breasts (category 1-3). b) The difference in optical contrast for lesion/normal breast tissue between benign and malignant lesions suggests that DOS may be a promising technique for differential diagnosis of breast masses.

This project is a clinical feasibility study of a Laser Breast Scanner and presents pilot data in 24 normal subjects and 11 women with breast masses.

Rahimian, J, Shah, N, Rahbar, G, Cerussi, A, Andrews, D, McCombs, M, Hansra, N, Tromberg, B, Verma, R, et al, , Optical Characteristics of Normal Breast and Breast Masses with a Clinical Laser Breast Scanner (LBS).  Radiological Society of North America 2006 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 1, 2006 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2006/4436326.html